ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Catholic Technology College Easter Newsletter 2013
WE’VE BEEN IN
FR. MICHAEL
COMPETITIONS
LEADS THE YEAR
GALORE!
OF FAITH SPECIAL
Made by
Find out what’s been going on at the school in the last term
students
UPDATES REVIEWS YEAR OF FAITH SPECIAL
‘Nil sa s op mum’ EASTER JOY
Dear Parents,
We are updating and re-designing our website and the new version will be ready in the summer term. The new layout will be simpler to access and will provide a more attractive platform for the achievements of our young people. We hope you will find it more attractive and user –friendly.
Thank you for your continued support for our school. We are very pleased that so many of you have signed up and are using Parentpay. We hope that more will sign up as this is a very convenient way of paying for revision books, examination fees and school trips. Following requests, we are currently investigating a cashless system for our school catering service and would welcome your comments. Look out for more information about this on our website.
We have had a baby boom among our staff. So far this year, Mr Brown (Design Technology), Mr Harris (P.E.) and Mrs Derrer (Media Studies) have all had baby boys. We offer our congratulations to all of them.
On our last day of term, our Y9, 10 and 11 students will be supporting our Archbishop’s “Walk a Mile in someone else’s shoes” event to raise money for the Father Hudson’s Society. As always, every year group has been working hard to put their faith into action throughout Lent and no doubt will raise a very generous sum for our good causes.
Please keep our school in your prayers.
Yours sincerely,
P. Mullins.
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St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ EASTER JOY
A very Happy Easter from all your friends at St. Francis Welcome to the end of another term at St Francis! Although it has been a small one, it has been packed full of exciting adventures and activities that our students have taken on wholeheartedly. The Year of Faith remains one of the most important events on our mind and our students have certainly had their contribution. We have the trip to Lourdes and Catholic World Youth Day, at which some of our sixth formers are attending. Easter is, of
Our editor,
What we’ve got in store this issue:
Bethany Wright, can’t believe how quickly the term has gone.
4 - Fr. Michael begins our Year of Faith special.
course, one of the most important events in the Catholic calendar and so we wish all of you a happy and holy holiday! Yours Faithfully Bethany Wright (year 13)
7 - ‘Free to Disagree’ takes on football. 9 - Our savvy Yr. 11s get down to business. 12 - Don’t miss the love quiz: Freunde oder noch mehr? 14-15 - We bring the latest from two of the exciting competitions we have been involved in. 16 - Mr. Connell is justifiably smug about our sporting success. 20 - We catch up with a former pupil. 22 - We have author visits and reviews galore in our culture section.
Newsletter Easter 2013
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
3
‘Nil sa s op mum’ FR. MICHAEL’S GRAPEVINE
Chaplain’s notes: the new (well named) Pope Fr. Michael tells us about our new Pope.
We have a new Holy Father as successor on the throne of St. Peter to Pope Benedict XVI. Already, in less than a week, there have appeared to be huge changes taking place. His Eminence, Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was chosen from 114 other candidates. His chosen papal name: Francis. Although he was born of Italian parents, he is very much a man from South America. This is the first time in the modern era that a pope has been chosen from outside Europe. He is also a Jesuit, a member of the Society of Jesus, (SJ) another first. Perhaps most surprising of all is his chosen name, since it signals the style and direction of his papacy, that is to say, simplicity of life and active con-
4
cern for the poor. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires he lived a simple and austere life in a small flat near the cathedral, cooking his own meals. He always used public transport and when visiting Rome flew economy class. In his diocese (as there are in many parts of South America) he gave time and support to some of the poorest people, taking their needs and concerns to his heart. Since his election he has refused to wear some of the papal vestments and chose mingle among ordinary people at St. Mary Major.
the head of the Church to whom we can look for the gospel values and inspiration which will lead us in the years ahead. Pope Francis’ papacy may be short given his age (76), but short papacies have a habit of making a big impact. Pope John XXIII (5 years) called the Second Vatican Council and Pope John Paul I (a single month) abolished the papal coronation and went for a simple inauguration.
For us at St. Francis of Assisi CTC we have a man at
both
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
Let us pray for our new pope, that he may have the courage to face the challenges of his calling and be wise
and
loving
in
his ministry.
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ YEAR OF FAITH
Your voice on the Year of Faith
Viva il Papa!
This is one event taking
Hannah
place for one of the stu-
Mrs Mulcrow shares our
dents of St Francis of
AS philosophy students’
her take on the
Assisi who will be putting
message for Pope Francis.
Year of Faith.
her faith in to action. The
Wright gives
Catholic
society
hopes
As we go through the Year
that everyone can get in-
of Faith we begin many
volved with putting their
events to try and encourage
faith into action and tak-
as many people as possible
ing the best route to
to have a deeper emotion of
their
the Catholic faith. For ex-
and making our life full of
ample a year 13 student
FAITH!! As a school we
called Bethany Wright is go-
need to put our faith into
ing to Brazil on the 18
th
Christian
religion
of
action... so if you have any
July to teach children Eng-
ideas then why not sug-
lish and get the opportunity
gest it to your teacher
to be one of many people
and show you care about
who will see the new Pope.
being Catholic.
On behalf of Year 12 AS Philosophy students at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College Aldridge, West Midlands, England, we wish to express our happiness and joy to His Holiness, Pope Francis I. We pray that you are never without the Lord’s presence, as you lead the Church and it’s people towards humility and love for God. May you be strengthened by the knowledge that your people are faithful in the times of light and darkness. May we be instruments of peace, beacons of light in the Year of Faith and strive to bring about justice for all of God’s children who are made in His ‘image and likeness’.
Newsletter Easter 2013
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
5
‘Nil sa s op mum’ YEAR OF FAITH
Yr. 11 and the Poetry of Faith Today’s world is so differOn Wednesday 13th March the Walsall Poet Laureate, Ian Henery, gave a poetry workshop to some RE students in year 11, discussing
Siobhan Clinton, Harriet Benwell and Lorna Bar-
ent from how it used to be, And many people cannot seem to see,
rett tell us about meeting
That everyone has a cross
the Walsall Poet Laureate.
to bear, There are many people
his poem ‘Backward Chris-
that really care,
tian Soldiers’. As part of a
his thoughts on these is-
literacy exercise during our
sues. We found it interest-
Those that fight for our
RE lessons, we analysed Ian
ing to compare our take on
country day after day,
Henery’s thought provoking
his poem and the real in-
poem and came up with our
tention behind each line. In
own questions for him to
the year of faith we are
Those that have a life with
elaborate on. This poem has
appreciative that he has
no equality,
fitted in with much of the
visited us twice to talk
But actually in the world
work that we have been do-
about his works, beliefs
there is a reality,
ing on war and poverty, so
and life experiences which
we were grateful to Mr Hen-
he has incorporated into
ery for coming in to explain
what he has written.
A gift from our Lord His blood he poured For our sins to be cleared And for Him not to be feared Respect is what we had For good to remove bad And Jesus to be respected As our lives he affected We should now know Good deeds should we show Foes, Family and friends So that our world can be cleansed
6
Jesus would have hoped That his people would have coped With looking after each other Parents, Sister or Brother We are all one family Why can’t we just live happily? Be inspired by the words of the Lord And let the love be restored. By Lorna Barrett
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
Those that never receive recognition or pay,
A reality where countries struggle with disaster and pain, But who would take a chance to start life again? Surely everyone deserves a fair life? To grow, achieve, believe and strive, For there is nothing like having a faith to love, And all the angels and saints protecting us from above. By Alice Duckworth
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ ROVING RESEARCHER
World class telescope falls into Year 9 hands The Faulkes Telescope project has been set up in the north of Hawaii and in the South of Australia, which is an education partner of Las Cumbres observatory Global Telescope Network (LOCOGTN). This project will allow students from year 9 who are interested in science to have ‘Hands on science’ in the real world not just inside a classroom. The Faulkes Telescope project wants to give people free access to a robotic telescope and access to a support programme which will encourage teachers and students to engage in researchbased science education all about what is out there in the universe! The Faulkes Telescope project provides access for 1,500 hours: this time is dedicated to education and public outreach, which is mainly in the UK, but it, can be for smaller selected projects in Europe and the US. Also, the Faulkes telescope project will also be for observing the telescope which is a 2 meter long class telescope. This telescope isn’t
Newsletter Easter 2013
Jessica Murphy shares her experiences like any other telescope where you look into the lens, there’s a very special computer which will show you the area where you typed the co-ordinates, so you will learn how to use it this means that you would be in charge of very important and expensive equipment which costs thousands of pounds. The school has joined this project, so we will be able to book observation time on the two telescopes. You will be able to give the telescope instructions to move
to a set of co-ordinates, to use a certain filter and how long to expose the image. The images will be enhanced and you will be able to keep some of the images if you want to or you could put some of them on display to show other people what you have found. This is an amazing experience for year 9 students who have a real passion for science and who would like to take their learning to the next level and to discover something new and wonderful. If you are real interested in this project then please go to Mrs Tremayne who will answer any questions and she will be in the dyslexic centre.
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
7
‘Nil sa s op mum’ FREE TO DISAGREE
Football - love it or hate it? Dominic
Joseph
Rounds is
Ciappi is all
not a fan.
for it!
Oxford, Vardy and Ethics! Bethany Wright shares the low-down
Football is bad because you
I think football is alright
on the Ethics
can have injuries from play-
because it makes a lot of
conference.
ing, you can’t understand the
people happy. You can have
rules e.g. off side. You can
a relaxed kickabout with
pull your hamstring or break
your mates - that’s the
your leg. It causes a lot
best way to do it. Alt-
more injuries than any other
hough it looks like there
sport. Men can get angry be-
are a lot of rules, actually
cause they are too competi-
that makes it easier to play
tive. You could injure your-
and more fun for everyone.
At half five in the morning, we all thought it would be a good idea to get up and make our way to Oxford for an Ethics conference on a coach before sunrise. As we rolled into Oxford though, our moods
self and ruin your career. This is just my opinion!
Ronan May has better things to do.
were
prospect
ball for 10 years and it really fun. You have to be energetic, so it keeps you fit and healthy. Unlike football, it’s not all about
8
at
of
the
seeing
Peter Vardy! We
I have been playing basket-
lifted
were
all
very
im-
pressed by the conference and certainly gained a lot of information for the exam! Ciaran O’Connor even
got
to
shake
Vardy's hand…
the money. There is a lot
We would definably rec-
of vanity in football, which
ommend this trip for fu-
is terrible, and it’s really
ture years and stress the
boring for the goalkeeper.
early morning is worth it!
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ SCHOOL NEWS
Our pupils with the Mayor, showing
Nice doing business with savvy year 11s
off their quality products.
Our yr. 11 Young Enterprise group show their business skills. _______________________ On Saturday 9th March, myself Liam Broad, Melissa Shergold, Bradley Mcdonald, Rory Fitzgerald of Young Enterprise group went to Wulfrun Centre in Wolverhampton to sell a variety of products like handmade gift boxes with chocolates, jewellery and key rings that we made during a number of our Foundation lessons at school. Other members of this group, Aaron Walton, Romelo Fray, William Jones, Connor Allen and Henry Coller will continue to sell items at break time in school, every Friday until further notice. Our
business
experience
Newsletter Easter 2013
first started in school by selling cakes and drinks at school which also helped influence and build our confidence and business skills for selling in the future. We then worked in small groups and came up with ideas and designs of products we would like to make and sell, so we could get the ball rolling and get our actual business started. First of all, we wrote down our ideas and drew our designs on a big piece of sugar paper. We used this information to persuade Mrs Mullins to give us a loan - which obviously we would pay back whenever we could. We were successful in doing this because we explained to Mrs Mullins that we
would donate 20% to charity, Breast Cancer (Think Pink). And then this Saturday, Rory and I arranged to do a morning selling our products at the Wulfrun Centre; we got there nice and early and began to set up our stall. We sold a few boxes and some stock. We were in a very popular part of the Wulfrun Centre and had a great opportunity to sell to the general public. Lots of people came to our stall to look at our products.
DON’T MISS OUT Get along to the Bridge Hall on Friday break times to get your hands on some great products.
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
9
‘Nil sa s op mum’ SCHOOL NEWS
Student voice on E-Safety
Stay Smart: Stay Safe! Miss Spooner tells us about Internet safety day.
Ryan Conway tells us about the day from his point of view. ____________________
____________________ Safer Internet Day 2013 took place on Feb 5th and marked the 10th anniversary of this national promotion. The theme this year was Online Rights and Responsibilities. All year groups at St Francis undertook activities following this theme. Ryan Conway and Emma Kelly, from 8N, were interviewed about their involvement in the events. Ryan and Emma felt that they learnt a lot throughout the week, taking away some important messages. They learnt that you should never give away personal details or images online, don’t add anyone that you don’t know in real life and always get consent before posting images and information about others. The week was rounded off with the form creating an online charter.
10
We would recommend the UK Safer Internet Ce ntre webs ite (www.saferinternet.org) as a great resource for parents who would like advice on how to help their children be safer online. The Parents and Carers section has excellent advice on how to set up filtering for the Internet and how to use Social Networking sites (e.g. Facebook and Twitter) wisely. If you would like more information on Internet Safety in school please contact Mrs Jones (ajones@stfrancis.cc).
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
E-safety was a great thing to learn about because it can help you work on how to stay safe on the internet. It taught me how to use privacy settings on Facebook. I also learned not to post anything I don't want anyone else to see because then it can be hard to delete the photo/video/comment. I have learnt that social networking sites can have loads of people posting racist comments/ threats to other people (Cyber bullying). These social networking sites e.g. Facebook can have a negative effect on your future job, depending on what the employers see on your account. Now that I have learnt this, I will either stay away from these sites or I will be more careful with them from now on.
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ SCHOOL NEWS
Our pupils impress at Mock Trial Compe@@on The Mock Trial competition has been running since 1994. It takes place once a year and is organised by the Citizenship Foundation. It is designed to widen the young people’s knowledge of the law and legal system and to build on teamwork skills, analytical skills and their public voices. On the 9th March, 14 students from Years 8 and 9 went to Birmingham Magistrates Court to present a court case against other schools in their heat. The court case wasn’t a real case, but based upon criminal offences that are heard in Magistrate Courts around the country. Each school had the same case and students had to learn the case off by heart, along with their views, before the date of the competition. This year the case was about a fight that had occurred in a pub at Christmas. The defendant was accused of helping his friends attack the victim.
Newsletter Easter 2013
Each team had an Usher
Sophie Preis- who had to bring witnesses ler tells us to and from the witness what it was like at the Mock Trial Competition.
Each student had a different role to play. Four witnesses had to learn their statements off by heart and answer their opposition lawyers correctly. They also had to be prepared for any questions the opposing team had for them and keep calm and not get flustered. Four lawyers had to ask questions that would bring out points to support their side of the case and provide a good argument with evidence to back themselves up.
stand, get the Court to rise when the Magistrates entered the courtroom and get the witnesses to repeat the Creed in court. Each side, prosecution and defence, had to compete against the opposing side from another school. Overall, our school didn’t win, but each pupil tried their best and performed to a very high standard. The St Francis team were good competition to play against and each pupil had a lot of fun. Even though it is nice to win, ultimately it’s the taking part that matters. Well done to all participants, you have made St Francis and Mr Griggs proud! As one pupil who participated said, “I’ve learnt a lot and now feel that I can speak more confidently in front of people and I now know a lot more about the law and its system.”
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
11
‘Nil sa s op mum’ THE LOVE QUIZ 1) Du wirst ein Freund in Restaurant treffen.
Was
wirst du tragen? a)
Ein Jeans & ein TShirt
und
nur
ein
bißchen Schmuck. b)
Freunde oder noch mehr?
Deine bequemste Hose, ein alte Pulli und kein
Lauren and Marie help you out with working it out.
Schmuck. c)
Dein Lieblingsrobe und schöne Schuhe und viel Schmuck.
2) Er anruft um 1 Uhr am
4) Du gehst zusammen ins Kino. Während des Films denkst du: a)
sofort wieder einschla-
b)
‘Was ist los?’ fragen, und wenn es wichtig
c)
die ganze Nacht reden
3) Er ist seit eine Woche im Urlaub: a)
Ich schreibe und rufe jeden Tag an.
b)
c)
c)
12
Wir sollen das öfter machen.
Punkte: 1) a=2, b=1, c=3 2) a=1, b=2, c=3
5) Er bittet dich, seine Mutter zu treffen. Wie antwortest du?
3) a=3, b=2, c=1 4) a=1, b=3, c=2 5) a=3, b=1, c=2 5-8 Punkte: Es ist nur
a)
b)
Ich rufe vielleicht einmal.
Was würde ich tun, Hand ergriff?
ist, wirst du mit ihm reden.
für
wenn er plötzlich die
fen b)
ist
Abendsessen?
Morgen. Würdest du… a)
Was
Ja! Ich möchte de-
Freundschaft! Wer braucht
ine Familie treffen!
Liebe, wenn man eine
Nein!
Sie könnten
den
falschen
Eindruck haben. c)
Freundschaft wie dieses hat? 9-12 Punkte: Vielleicht Liebe, vielleicht Freundschaft. Man muss auf die Antwort warten!
Vielleicht, aber ich
Ich warte einfach, bis
13-15 Punkte: Es ist doch Liebe!
werde
Alle Signale zeigen, das das mehr
er zurück kommt.
gestresst werden.
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
etwas
als Freundschaft ist!
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ SCHOOL NEWS
Our medics get an insider view with Medlink Hannah
aspects of medicine such as
them, giving a real feel for
general
how a doctor must feel in
practise,
surgery,
Benkerk had an paediatrics, geriatrics and
that
amazing time at many more. But there were
practical we took part in was
also lectures on different
a simulation that replicated
universities you may not have
an A&E situation and we had
considered such as universi-
to diagnose and treat our
Medlink was an amazing ex-
ties abroad such as in Roma-
‘patients.’ This showed me
perience I would genuinely
nia. This may not appeal to
how easily things can slip in-
recommend to anyone con-
everyone, but after the lec-
to chaos and the sort of lev-
sidering studying medicine
ture you realised just how
el-headedness
at university. Even if you’re
wide the options were for
have to possess in order to
not 100% sure that medicine
studying
There
be able to cope in an A&E
is for you, it gives you a fla-
were also lectures on suc-
situation as a professional
vour of what it’s all about.
cessful applications to medi-
doctor.
Medlink is an event hosted
cine that I found invaluable
for possible medical stu-
as it demonstrated how to go
dents which consists of a
about preparing for the ap-
series of lectures and prac-
plication
tical activities, designed to
steps you needed to take,
help you understand medi-
making it seem like a more
cine
different
achievable goal, not just a
forms and tips on how to ap-
vague shadow of a dream in-
ply successfully. It was an
side your head.
intense
which
The practical activities were
comfortable with complete
lasted a few days, and was
also good as we got a free
strangers, which I found an
full of lectures which in-
stethoscope
we
amazing thing about the pro-
spired
or
were then taught how to use
gramme. So I would recom-
(failing that) were full of
properly along with how to
mend it; it’s a valuable expe-
information that was im-
conduct simple eye and ear
rience that I’m sure anyone
mensely useful. Many of the
tests. We also got to meet
thinking of medicine would
lectures were on different
real patients and diagnose
enjoy.
Medlink.
in
all
its
programme,
the
audience
Newsletter Easter 2013
medicine.
process
(!)
and
the
situation.
Another
you
would
The people who went on the trip were from across the country and were genuinely lovely people and you would be amazed as to how many things you would have in common. This was reassuring. Also it made it easy to talk to anyone and become
which
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
13
‘Nil sa s op mum’ SCHOOL NEWS
4x4 challenge for our turbo-powered team On 15th February I was lucky enough to be part of the STEM club, who went to JCB for a fun packed day. Even though we didn’t win anything on this trip, it was definitely a worthwhile experience and has allowed us to think about what we need to do for our next challenge. Ever since Christmas the STEM group (with the help of Mr Barratt) have worked to create a remote control 4x4 vehicle, following strict specifications as set out by the team organisers. We were extremely pushed for time as the competition date was brought forward. Each team that entered was given a basic remote control car. After that the teams had to change the bodywork and electronics to fit certain specifications. In the time we had we made a camper van style vehicle. With cool disco lights, special designs and a bit of gaffer tape we were ready to go. Before we went we knew that some teams would have been making their cars for ages so we decided the best way to win something would
14
Matthew Cooper lets us know about STEM club’s latest challenge.
be to make our vehicle stand out from the crowd and we certainly had the coolest vehicle there. Our car was made for looks, not handling or speed. This meant it could talk the talk, but the question was: could it walk the walk? Well, it was actually quite sleek on the track; the only tricky bits were the slopes.
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
Many teams competed in this challenge and we were lucky just to be part of it. We not only had to drive our car, but we had to talk and present it to the judges (technical specialists from Land Rover), discussing different engineering issues and how we had overcome any difficulties. Our group was quite original in makeup, as it included Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils. We are now evaluating our day and look ing at les sons learned. This great day is some-
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ SCHOOL NEWS
Triumph for our Judo twelve Rachel Anderson’s
Robin Mills and Rachel Anderson are fighting fit in the judo competition.
impressive throw
____________________ On December 17 2012, thing I won’t forget in my entire St Francis career. I am looking forward to next year in the hope that our next entry can win something. So it’s back to the drawing board for us again and, using our skills, we hope to be back next year. I would like to thank Mr Barratt for giving up his Tuesday and Wednesday lunch times to help us build our car, as if he wasn’t there we couldn’t have had this inspiring experience.
12 students were entered into a Judo competition
that
covered
the Walsall diocese. We were split into weight categories
and
then
fought everyone in our groups. We were awarded medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The people who came first were: Rachel Anderson, Daniella Hill and
Will Jones.
Dom
McGill, Katie Carter and George Tracy-Adams all came
second.
Third
place was awarded to Robin
Mills,
Joanna
McCourt, Callum Wigge-
DID YOU KNOW? London is the most ex-
ly, Troy Brown, Hannah McGeogh and Mia Worley. The day lasted be-
pensive city to park in,
tween nine and four and
costing up to £578.87
it was a valuable experi-
per month!
ence. We started off
and then a brief as to what we were allowed to do in our fights. Then the
fights
continued
began
and
until
the
awards ceremony. Afterwards
we
split
into
groups and had group fights. Once the medals had been awarded, we had some team photos and then went home. The day
was
enjoyable
for everyone that took part and we would definitely recommend it to other pupils.
with a group warm up
Newsletter Easter 2013
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
15
‘Nil sa s op mum’ MORE SPORTING SUCCESS
Sport success further inflates Head of PE’s ego The last edition of the school newsletter was named as the “sports edition”. Well it looks like we could call it the same again this time round, with the amount of sporting success stories that we have to report from recent months. We have had the pleasure of introducing a former Olympic athlete to our school and working with our students (which you will find out more about in this newsletter) as well as having the benefit of having a Commonwealth Games Gold medallist delivering lessons and extra curricular sessions to a number of our lucky students.
Mr Connell revels in our sporting success. Again.
Many of our pupils have been working hard in both lessons and extra curricular time, at improving their skill levels and developing their sporting prowess. Table tennis continues to be one of our most popular and certainly most successful sports. Following our domination of all age groups competitions for both boys and girls in the Walsall Schools championships earlier in the year, Our Judo medallists
16
St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Technology College
we had the not so small matter of 5 teams representing Walsall in the Black Country Olympics at Wood Green Academy in February. All of our teams had done incredibly well to get to that stage and were then faced with meeting the best on offer from Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton. Well the St Francis contingent didn’t disappoint, with the KS4 boys of Michael, Marcus, Oliver and Cameron winning a bronze medal (all of the team were from yr. 9), the KS5 boys of Shaun, Dillon, Arian and Michael winning silver and the KS4 girls going one better, with the team of Lauren, Charlie, Maddie and Alice being crowned Gold medallists and Black Country team champions. This term also saw the West Midlands Schools individual championships taking place, with Shaun in yr. 12 matching his team success with an individual Silver medal and Lauren in yr. 10 going one better again and being crowned the individual Gold
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ MORE SPORTING SUCCESS medallist. As mentioned at the beginning of this article we have been fortunate enough to have had a Commonwealth Champion sharing his knowledge and expertise with our students. The man in question was Wayne McDonald, who is the current Commonwealth Masters Gold medallist and has had a distinguished career in the sport of Judo, having won the British Masters Championships on three occasions, and having represented Great Britain, in the World Masters Team Championships in Moscow a few years ago. Wayne is currently the University of Wolverhampton’s Club coach and also works in local schools in the area. Wayne delivered a unit of work in lessons to both yr. 11 boys and girls and set up a popular extra curricular club. Many of these students went on to represent the school at a festival of Judo held at the University of Wolverhampton on 17th December, sponsored by Aston Villa. The following students all managed to get themselves on the medal rostrum with
Newsletter Easter 2013
some tenacious and skilled performances; Mia, Troy, George, Robin, Katie and Joanna. Will, Rachel and Daniella all managed to come away with Gold medals on the day. Since Christmas we have had a big push in promoting badminton, with our yr. 9 boys in particular really getting involved in extra curricular sessions. Streetly Academy hosted the Walsall Schools Badminton championships in January and we managed to reach the finals in both the U14 and U16 competitions for boys and girls, having qualified from the South Walsall competitions. Our yr. 9 boys of Oliver, Daniel, Michael and Dylan performing admirably and were only narrowly beaten in the final, by Streetly Academy themselves. Most of us choose to wrap up well in the winter months of January and February and keep ourselves nice and warm indoors, while some decide to do quite the opposite and run incredibly long distances out in the frozen fields of countryside!
KS4 girls get Gold!
I had the pleasure of being the Walsall Schools Cross Country team manager, for the West Midlands Championships on a cold and frosty morning on Saturday 2nd February. This involved selecting a number of students from St Francis, with Charlotte, Caitlin, Tad, Oliver, Niall, Conal and Lucy all braving the sub zero temperatures to represent the borough at this prestigious event. All involved performed very well in what was a very high standard competition, but the plaudits must got to Charlotte in yr. 7, who destroyed the rest of the field to be crowned West Midlands Schools champion, certainly one to look out for in the future.
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‘Nil sa s op mum’ MORE SPORTING SUCCESS Basketball has also been high on the agenda in recent months, with St Francis of Assisi CTC well represented in the yr. 7, 8, 9 and 10 leagues. All age groups trained well and the results were evident on the court, with both the yr. 8 and 9 team’s finish 3rd in their respective leagues. A big thank you must go out to Ryan in yr. 12 who gave up his lunchtimes to help coach our teams, which was invaluable experience for our students and Ryan himself, as he continues to work towards gaining more basketball coaching qualifications. Despite facing many difficulties with snow-covered fields our PE staff have been working hard to develop rugby this year. The yr. 7 boys finished joint 3rd in the Walsall Schools championships and will be hoping to put on a good show in the
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Our KS5 table tennis silver medallists
Staffordshire Schools competition later in the month. The yr. 8 boys finished 4th in the same competition and are still going strong in the Staffordshire Schools Plate competition. They will play their semi-final in the near future and I will hopefully be able to report on another sporting success in the next addition. We also have the girls yr. 7 and 8 tag rugby competition coming up and with the help of our outstanding sports leaders from yr. 10, Molly, Serena, Grace and Molly, we
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have high hopes for the girls. Finally, we are to the school football and netball seasons and following the success in the leagues earlier in the year, I am very hopeful of some cup success in the football. We have 4 teams, with the yr. 7, 8, 9 and 11 teams all safely through to the semifinal of the main cup competitions. I hope to report about some cup winners in the summer addition of the newsletter, along with details of how we have been doing in our main summer sports of tennis, rounders,
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ MORE SPORTING SUCCESS
Our stars learn from the best
The Sky Sports Living for Sport is a secondary school initiative that uses sports stars and sports skills to boost confidence, change behaviour, increase attainment and improve life skills. On Tuesday 5th February Daniel Caines (Athletics) and Tom Davis (Judo) worked with our gifted and talented pupils. The pupils listened to the
Miss Nickless shares a great opportunity for our sporting finest athlete’s success stories and took part in a number of team building tasks. The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and left the session feeling very motivated. A number of follow up sessions have been planned for the groups.
DID YOU KNOW? When St. Francis students win yet another event, there is room for one less member of staff at briefing as PE staff grins take up more space.
Newsletter Easter 2013
What do we do in a time of need when we feel down when all you can do is frown but where do we go from here? Do we carry on or do we slow down and think about the crosses we have to bear? Do we moan and cry or do we just get by? Like Jesus did, do we take our punishment or do we confess? Do we try and retrieve our happiness? But where do we go from here? Do we think about others? Do we help our brothers? Do we do well to those who hate us? Or are we selfish and only think of ourselves? These are the things you need to think about when you find yourself with a cross to bear think of the consequences and effects so no one suspects that you have a cross to bear by Emily Fisher
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‘Nil sa s op mum’ ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT
When I left St Francis of Assisi for BOA (A specialised Performing Arts College in Birmingham) in the summer of 2012 it was a huge wrench. St Francis was my second home where I had made many, many wonderful friends and had the invaluable support of so many members of staff. I had made the decision that due to the passion I have for dance that it was the right thing to do and follow my dreams and study Dance in a specialist college. Arriving at BOA and feeling very nervous I wondered if I had made the correct decision leaving everyone and everything that had become so very dear to me and although I missed so many of the people who had become part of my life at St Francis I soon became captivated by the love and the passion I have for dance.
Sarah steals the show Former pupil Sarah lets us know what she’s been up to. end of the two weeks I was invited by one of the professional dancers to join the Motionhouse Youth Company and I know attend a class every Friday and we are performing at Nottingham’s Playhouse Theatre in April which is very exciting.
UK’s most successful and popular choreographer. He had requested that the college select a small number of dance students to perform a “curtain raiser” before his adaptation of “Sleeping Beauty” on February 6th at Birmingham’s Hippodrome Theatre. I feel very honoured and privileged to have been amongst the students selected. Although I feel nervous, I am very excited at the prospect of performing in front of 2000 people.
The Principal of Broadway Just before Christmas Dance Centre, Frances Daw2012, BOA was approached son has asked me to accomby Matthew Bourne...the
In the first two weeks of college, BOA was visited by Motionhouse......one of the UK’s leading professional dance companies. The students took part in workshops and worked alongside the dancers who were certainly inspirational. At the
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Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT
pany her to Romania in the summer of 2013 to assist her in Dance Classes for the children of the local area of Campulung. I feel that this is a fantastic opportunity and I am looking forward to enjoying the experience of working with the youngsters of Romania and giving my time to help them to enjoy the beauty of dance. On my trip I will try my best to broaden my understanding of those less fortunate than myself and I will endeavour to make the week one to remember for the local children. The Romanian Project was founded by Frances Dawson who is the Principal of the Broadway Dance Centre........... She has a passion for dance, a sense of the community and a will to help those less fortunate. In 1995 Fran went to Romania to try and help some of the 40,000 orphans – her aim was to give them some happiness......to help them dance and play. To date she has helped fund 6 dance studios, a small theatre, several playgrounds, nurseries and other projects These have been created in orphanages
Newsletter Easter 2013
full of destitute children – but the facilities that Frances has funded have helped to give them a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. I feel that this is a very exciting time for me and I am looking forward to what the future holds. I know that there is a lot of hard work to do but I feel that the work ethic that was developed at St Francis by so many teachers has been a fantastic life experience for me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. “Follow your dreams, face your fears, and always smile. Life is precious and you’ll never regret doing what you love.
God He created you, your hands, your eyes, your hair. He chose what colour locks you’d have, dark, red or fair. He gave you your own purpose, there’s something you must do. He blessed you with a talent, one unique to you. Everybody’s different, but in a positive way. People can be contrasting, as much as night and day. If people try to hurt you, or try to pull you down, He’s there when you need him, He’s there to fix that frown. Everyone has doubts, but what people don’t see, is that God is always present, watching over you and me. So if you ever feel, like you’re completely on your own, there’s someone there to help you, You’ll never be alone. Clare Buckley
Believe in yourself”
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‘Nil sa s op mum’ CULTURE NEWS
Football fana@cs kick back with Dan Freedman to be a famous footballer, but at the age of 17 his Cooper mum told him that it was gets an exclu- very unlikely. Thus he desive interview cided that he had to do something that involved with writer Dan Freedman. football. He became a football journalist and talked to some great players (his You might know Dan Freedfirst of many interviews man for his bestselling were with John Terry and book “The Kick Off”, the David Seaman). first of his 6 books in his gripping Jamie Johnston He grew up in London and series - Steven Gerrard watched his first Spurs says: “You’ll read these and match aged three. He enwant to get out there!” but joys reading, walking and Dan Freedman spent 13 spending time near the sea. March with us at St. FranHe had some great support cis, doing a special talk in for his fictional writing the morning, a book signing from his editors, even session at lunch and finishthough his first book got ing the day on a hat trick rejected at least 10 times. with a writing workshop for However, he kept writing a Year 8 Group and and changing things. He was Reading Club. on the point of giving up
Matthew
He had his inspiration from football and throughout his whole childhood he wanted
when his book was accepted for publication. Dan said he felt “ecstatic” when he heard the news. Dan Freedman has really inspired me to be a writer and I’m sure he has made many other people feel the same. His books come alive as he bases his characters
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on his own real dreams, loves and horrors. He says: “I love football so much that I breathe it like air.” If anyone would like to find out more about him go to www.Danfreedman.co.uk Dan Freedman’s Kick off : Summary by Dominic Rounds It is about a young boy (13 years old), who lives with his mum. His dad left him and an enemy stands in the way of his dreams. Recently, he moved house and had to go to a new school. All he wants is to be on the school football team, but his mum isn’t fond of him playing football. She wants him to get better grades.
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ CULTURE NEWS
Our pupils show their talent with the BBC school report
Ethan Moore and Conor Lovage start practicing for media careers. Over the recent weeks we have composed a new broadcast video concerning the recent resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of a new Pope. Whilst making this report, the exciting news emerged that a new candidate Jorge Mario Bergoglio had become the new leader of the Catholic faith; Pope Francis. This came as quite a surprise as the candidate was an unexpected candidate for election. Pope Francis has been portrayed recently by the media as a humble and down to earth man. He is Jesuit, this means that he rejects worldly possessions and materialistic things to be
Newsletter Easter 2013
closer to God. Through our investigative research, we found out how the election of a new Pope, especially one with the name Francis would affect our community here in school. We learnt to use school cameras, the importance of finding out the facts of a story and developed our interviewing skills to make this report. The report can be found on the BBC School Report page on the St Francis of Assisi School website. The link is: www.stfrancis.cc/ roundabout/opencms/ news/newsarchive/201103/bbcschoolreport.html
Torn writer shares all Mrs Roberts meets writer David Massey On Wednesday 6th March, a group of Year 9 students were lucky enough to travel to Pool Hayes School for a talk by the author David Massey. David’s debut novel Torn was published last summer, and is the story of Eleanor, a young army medic, and her experiences in Afghanistan. action,
It is a mixture of romance
and
a
touch of the supernatural. David gave us a fascinating insight into his inspiration, how he writes and edits his work.
Torn is being pub-
lished around the world and he is also hoping to sell the film rights - you heard it here first!
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‘Nil sa s op mum’ TEACHER’S PRIDE
AS Art Student show their compe@@on best Congratulations to our AS Mrs Day is very proud of all level 2012 cohort. Their her star pupils. work was submitted into Specialist Crafts catalogue competition. All three entries made it to the Best of 2012 and are currently fea-
tured on their website gallery. The work is also published quarterly in the catalogue.
SFA pupils use their language talents abroad Marie-Clare Taggart had a great time on the exchange. ____________________ I found the two week exchange in Hessen really fun. I had my work experience in a nursery and I really enjoyed it, especially talking and playing with
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the children in German. Reading to them was especially useful because it helped my speaking and reading at the same time. I found the little things like going to the cinema, watching TV or ordering food very useful for improving my confidence in the language and I think it’s definitely helped me as I now feel more confident in all areas of the language.
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Most of all, it was very interesting to be immersed in German culture and see how everyday life was different.
Newsletter Easter 2013
‘Nil sa s op mum’ CULTURE NEWS
Cathy Hopkins reviewed Natasha ChadbonePickman tells us about a favourite author. ____________________ Cathy is an author of the books that I enjoy reading. Cathy lives in north London with her husband and three cats. Cathy spends most of her time locked in a shed at the bottom of her garden pretending to write books but is actually in there lis-
The animals went in two by two tening to music, hippie dancing and talking to her friends on e-mail.
Bringing pride to their
I enjoy reading her books because she writes it from a teenager’s point of view about their daily life as a teenager. I understand what she is trying to say because it is easy to read and understand.
bombs galore,
Chinua Achebe dies, aged 82 Mrs Littler is sorry to lose one of our ‘Millennium authors’ ____________________
Newsletter Easter 2013
One of the first books I picked out of our Millennium collection in the LRC was Achebe’s It all falls apart. It is one of the most expressive books I have ever read and a vivid portrayal of the reaction to the arrival of white men in the village of Igbo. His description of relationships in a changing world is well worth reading.
family name, Guns, grenades and The coward’s way out full of shame. The animals went in two by two For the supposedly justified war, Newly made orphans lost and alone Fell under corruption’s trap door. The animals cried out “set us free These crosses are too much to bear, Surely there are peaceful means To rid this world of despair?” Clare Buckley
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‘Nil sa s op mum’
THE FACTS OF SCHOOL LIFE