Christmas 2011 - All Saints` Catholic Academy

ALL SAINTS’
CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Christmas Newsletter
Broomhill Lane
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire
NG19 6BW
Tel:
Fax:
01623 474700
01623 471118
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.allsaints.notts.sch.uk
Dear Parent/Carer
I can hardly believe it is Christmas; the term has
flown and staff and students have worked
extremely hard and deserve a good rest over the
holidays.
We have been very fortunate this term in the
grants we have received to improve the buildings;
we have already decorated the drama hall and it
will also be having a new floor, new curtains and
new video equipment. N1 is being converted into
another ICT room for use by departments and we
are also upgrading students’ toilets in technology
and the R room area. These improvements are all
part of our work to revamp as much of the school
as possible with limited funds!
We are all looking forward to the Carol Concert
and Fair Trade Social this week and hope as many
of you as possible will be able to join us on
Tuesday and Thursday.
Once again can I wish you all a happy and holy
Christmas and joyous New Year.
M Cobbett,
Head Teacher.
The students of All Saints’ Anime and Manga Society had a treat this term
when they had lessons from a fantastic guest artist. Sadie Moss (artwork
pictured right) was invited to the society to help them develop their drawing
techniques. The group have been focusing on the human body, proportions,
facial features, cloths and folds and body positioning.
Sadie remarked, “Coming in to help out at the Manga Society was an absolute
pleasure and I have enjoyed it immensely. The students all worked extremely
hard during the sessions, listened intently and were polite and fun to interact
with. It was my first experience with teaching students and I felt very
welcomed and respected
whilst I was there”.
Sadie will be attending future
sessions with the group next
term to develop their skills
further and get involved with
their final work piece.
The society runs every
Wednesday night 3.35-4.35
in A2 and is open to all year
groups and abilities.
School closes for Christmas on Friday 16 December
and re-opens on Thursday 5 January 2012
Liturgy
During this term, members of the
Sixth Form Chaplaincy Team have
been planning and preparing
liturgies for students in Years 7 and
8. The liturgy during Advent has
focused on students being asked to
give one specific gift to Jesus.
Since October members of the
Chaplaincy Team have also been
delivering weekly liturgies to Year 5
and 6 students at St. Philip Neri.
Fundraising
This term we have been
working hard to raise
money for CAFOD. Students
have responded extremely
positively to those in need
and have taken part in a
variety of activities,
including sponsored fancy
dress, tombola and cake
stalls (Year 9 examples
pictured) to raise money for
CAFOD. We are grateful for
all the support we receive
from parents with
fundraising.
Non-Uniform Day
On Thursday 15 December we are having a non-uniform day
to raise funds for CAFOD. If students wish to come in non-uniform, they are asked to pay £1 which will be given to
the charity. Some students have asked to come in fancy dress as a sponsored event. If they wish to do this then
sponsor forms can be collected from Form Tutors and returned to school before Thursday 15 December.
Whole School Current Attendance (excluding Post 16) as at 4/12/11 = 95%
Year 7 attendance as at 4/12/11 = 95.6%
Year 8 attendance as at 4/12/11 = 95.3%
Year 9 attendance as at 4/12/11 = 94.9%
Year 10 attendance as at 4/12/11=95.0%
Year 11 attendance as at 4/12/11 =94.2%
Our students have made a good start to the year and are currently on track to reach the 2011-12 attendance
target. Students, staff and parents/carers have been working well together dealing with any issues affecting
student attendance and we want this to continue beyond the Christmas break into the new term.
The key to dealing with issues is good communication, as we have proven!
Thank you to all our parents/carers who have been working closely with us.
Student punctuality is an ongoing focus and we have been addressing this matter on an individual basis with
students. We have held various late gates and will be contacting parents/carers with regards to addressing
persistent punctuality issues. The penalty for students arriving to school late is detention and we ask that parents/
carers help us to enforce this by ensuring their child attends detention. In light of the change in day structure with
lessons starting at 9.00am, the school has introduced the late gate system to ensure pupils are in school by
8.55am at the latest. We are aware that some bus companies are delaying the arrival of students and are
continually working closely with the bus companies and the County Council to ensure we attain 100% punctuality.
We take pride in continually striving to raise our standards to higher levels and by doing this, we are providing our
students with the very best opportunities for a successful start in life.
Should the weather take a significant turn for the worse to the extent that you think it
may effect the school being able to open then please ensure that you:

Listen for an announcement on Radio Nottingham

Monitor the school website

Check parent mail for a text or email.
If you have not registered for parent mail please send your email address and mobile
telephone number to [email protected]
Always assume school is open for business as usual unless otherwise notified.
On Tuesday 6 December, 50 Year 10 and 11
students descended upon the Clothes Show Live.
Excited and enthusiastic about the visit the pupils
had a fun and tightly scheduled day. Firstly the
students viewed the song, dance and catwalk show
in the NEC Arena, which
involved performances by
'The Risk' and Pussy Cat
Doll ' Kimberly Wyatt '.
After which the students
attended an exclusive
seminar held by Carolyn
Franklin and the Chief
Editor of 'More'
Magazine, Chantelle
Horton. The seminar
focused upon how to gain a career in many aspects of the fashion industry. The exclusive
panel took questions from students and gave valued advice regarding the fashion
industry. Students were then able to discover many areas of the show including an
environmental fashion area, university stands, and hands on practical area. All the
students flourished at the experience of the insight into the fashion industry and can't
wait to put their new ideas into practice within the classroom.
Booked Up’s goal is to encourage reading for pleasure and
independent choice. All our Year 7 students chose their free
book from a list of specially selected titles during their Library
lessons in September. The arrival of their free book was
eagerly awaited and the scheme has helped regenerate an
excitement about books and reading.
The Booked Up scheme was launched in 2007.
The programme is run by Booktrust, an
independent charity dedicated to encouraging
people of all ages and cultures to engage with
books. Booked Up is generously supported by
children’s book publishers and funded by the
Department for Education (DfE). During the first
four years of the programme, Booked Up has given a free book to over 2.5 million children in England.
On Thursday 10th November 2011, 28 Year 11 French and
Spanish students spent the day at Nottingham University in the
Languages Department. They gained information about what it
would be like to study a language, took part in a lecture, had
lunch in the Halls of Residence and found out about the exciting
opportunities available to study abroad. They even had a taster
session in a new language including Japanese, Modern Greek,
German and Dutch.
The students participated very confidently and positively to all of
the sessions and returned enthused about the big wide world
out there! All students were a credit to themselves and the
school throughout the day.
Over the last term staff have been busy rewarding
students for their academic achievements and
progress. It has been great to see a rise in the number
of students receiving rewards and we would like to
congratulate the students for their continued hard work and efforts. Each week Year Managers receive
nominations from staff for the Head Teacher’s Award, below are the names of those students who have been
successful in winning this award. Congratulations to the following students:
Christopher Dean, Amy Heery, Ella Dale, Adam Webster, Holly Armitage, Reece fisher, Alistair Hall, Alyssa Edwards
Bryony Candlin, Jermaine Jatau, Chloe Best, Jamie McAllister, Joshua Fareham, Olivia Brittain, Honor Bennett
Farheen Abbas, Chloe Kirk, Jack Harriman, Sheridan Scott, Heather Barnes, Katherine McGahey, Ellie fisher
Danielle Stone-clay, Trish Mukura, Daniel James, Bethany Roche, Ryan Woodward, Mollie Raine
Fionnuala Walsh-Kavanagh, Lucy Bevan, Emily Leigh, Thomas O'Gorman, George Vernon, Daniel Thistlewaite
Rieko Parker-cole, Laura Thompson, Ashley Pearson, Sam whetton, Ella Theakstone, Ella Higginbotham
Jessica Tideswell, Alan Lookose, Ellie Cadogan, Jasmine Baker, Katie Orme, Conor Clarke, Laura Fearick
Charles Egan, Vicky Argyle, Maisie Tyrell, Nicole Higgins, Oliver Palmer, Joshua Morgan, Grace Barker
Thomas Bellamy, Maria Passaseo, Jessica Bullock, Stefania Baranski, Richard Greenway, Lucy Bunniss
Bryn Foulkes, Eve Raymond-Baines, Sinead Freeman, Megan Gibson, Abbie Chambers-Asman, Charlotte Hume,
Oliver Dakin, Sofia Christodoulou, Karis Kennedy and Mark Holmes.
The new Key Stage Four Curriculum Award has also been well received, each term curriculum areas nominate two
students; one for the progress award and the one for the endeavour award. The nominations then go into a
lottery where the winning students receive an ITunes or Amazon gift card. Congratulations to Megan Gibson who
won the progress award and Sarah Weir who won the endeavour award last term.
As a reward for consistently collecting vouchers All
Saints’ were invited to attend a special presentation at
the Tesco Extra store on Chesterfield Road in Mansfield
on Friday 11 November with Alan Meale MP.
Students Ryan Jones and Yasmin Lee from All Saints’
were presented with a large box of goodies for the
school including recorders for music,skipping ropes ,
balls for PE, plus some drawing books for art.
All Saints’ were thanked for their continued support of
the 'Tesco Vouchers for Schools' scheme. This year the
vouchers enabled us to get two notebook PCs for
pupils who have difficulty with writing. We thank all
parents who continue to collect the vouchers and
support the school.
The school swing band has been out entertaining
our primary feeder school students as part of the
Advent celebrations. Pictured are the band
performing at St. Joseph’s, Shirebrook coffee club.
The event was well attended by parents and
students and an enjoyable time was had by all.
BBC World Class Scheme
Congratulations to the Head Boy
and Girl and Sixth Form Team,
who completed a very
comprehensive and successful application to secure a place in
the BBC World Class Scheme. BBC World Class helps UK schools
to twin with schools around the globe as part of its educational legacy for the 2012 Olympics. All Saints’ will be
twinned with an international school to share experiences as a cultural exchange.
Sixth Form Prefects
Prefects have been operating a mentor scheme in Year 7,8 and 9. Students are offered additional advice and
support for academic work and social issues, an experience which the lower school students are benefiting from.
Congratulations to the 8 students from Year 12 and Year 13 who took part in the Senior Maths Individual
Challenge this November. This is an increase from 6 last year. The group achieved 5 silver awards and 1 bronze
award, again an improvement on last year.
Individual Silver awards go to Mark Holmes, Joe Egan, Owen Morris, Matthew Manley and Matthew Williams and
bronze to Francis Pickersgill.
Year 12 and 13 students also took part in the Senior Team Challenge at Nottingham University. It is the second
consecutive year that All Saints’ has entered the competition. They came 11 th overall in a field of challenging
schools. Thank you and well done to Mark Holmes, Owen Dobson, Sarah Carter and Shaun Powell. Thanks also to
Miss Allchin who accompanied the students. Well done to all those who took part.
It is with great pleasure that the Technology department can announce the
formation of our Science Technology Engineering and Maths ( STEM ) initiative
at All Saints’ Catholic School.
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) club will encourage
our students to explore, investigate and discover STEM subjects in a stimulating
learning environment, away from the constraints of the normal school timetable or
a prescribed curriculum. It gives our students the opportunity to work together and explore many different ideas
that are related to STEM and involves
a range of guided practical activities.
The aims of our STEM club are:
 to enrich, enhance and extend
the Key Stage 3 curriculum
 improve attainment via
interactions with, and experiences
of, the STEM subjects among
students
 improve collaboration between
students, departments and industry
and encourage students to continue
their education in all areas of STEM
beyond GCSE and Diploma (or equivalent qualification) level
The STEM club (pictured) are: Adam
Dennis; James Ellis, Connor
Heneghan, Alinda Lookose, Thomas
McCormack, Joseph Mensah, Daria
Orzechowska, Michael Riordan, Elliot
Savage, Luke Smith, Brayden Willis
and Matthew Buckley. Students are
currently designing and making an
electronic dice to explore the link
between technological, mathematical and scientific concepts and how these are applied to a product, If interested,
please contact Mr Goudie
The 14th of November marked the beginning of national
'Anti Bullying Week' In order to recognize the importance
of the week a variety of activities took part within the
school. Each year group held an assembly that focused on
the effects of Bullying and raised awareness of cyber
bullying. In addition to this each form group conducted
anti bully tasks within form time and 'drop in centre'
representatives raised awareness of the different
categories of bullying.
During the week pupils were reminded of the 'Drop in
Centre' facility available to them which opens each
Tuesday and Thursday and is run by pupils for pupils.
The Centre is supported by KS4 and 5 pupils who
are available to listen to pupils’ concerns and provide a
support system for all pupils at All Saints’ School. As a
result of the week’s success, the school council
endeavoured to create an anti bullying information
booklet for each year group which we look forward to
distributing to pupils in the New Year.
We were also represented at the Mansfield School’s
Anti-Bullying festival which was a great success in
promoting the support available to the youth of the town.
Congratulations to the following students who
have been chosen to represent their year groups
as Assistant Head Boys and Assistant Head Girls.
Year 11
Assistant Head Boy- Michael Sidwell
Assistant Head Girl- Lisa Kells
Year 10
Assistant Head Boy- Conor Macis
Assistant Head Boy- Andrew Thatcher
Year 9
Assistant Head Boy- Karl Woss
Assistant Head Girl- Sophie Johnson
Year 8
Assistant Head Boy- Luke Powell
Assistant Head Girl-Jessica Kirk.
Year 7
Assistant Head Boy- Oskar Wrzesniewski
Assistant Head Girl- Eleanor McGahey
Success at Silver and Bronze
Epedition Finals
Over the next two terms the Youth Dance
Company will be working with Gareth
Woodward, a street dancer who has
worked with Cheryl Cole, Mariah Carey
and Take That. The company will be
working with Gareth to create a
performance
piece for the
Mansfield and
Ashfield
Showcase which is taking place on 15th February 2012 at the
Palace Theatre in Mansfield. This opportunity has been funded by
County Youth Arts and is a great experience for the students to
develop their skills and share their talents with the community.
The Performing Arts department wish the students all success with
this project and look forward to coming to watch the final
performance.
As part of the skills section for The Duke of Edinburgh’s
Award students have taken over the care and management
of the school allotment. Mr Matt Ralston who is currently
doing a Diploma in Permanent Agriculture, visited the
school to give a talk on permaculture and with his help and
the assistance of the school site staff, the Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award students have learned how to develop
their gardening techniques using recyclable materials from
around the school site. Firstly, site staff and students
cleared the beds of old foliage, then a layer of cardboard or
shredded paper was laid on top and then covered with
compost.
This helps
keep the
ground warm
during winter
and will
encourage worms and insects into the soil to break it down and
keep it healthy for the springtime when students will start growing
vegetables for use in the school kitchen. The students are re-using
old cardboard boxes and shredded paper from the school which
would normally be thrown away and sent out to be re-cycled and
the site staff are using old grass cuttings and leaf mould for the
compost meaning that the school and students are having first
hand experience of re-cycling and permaculture.
Mobile phone and electrical equipment notice to parents and pupils:

Mobile phones and electrical equipment are not to be used in school and whilst entering and leaving the school
site which includes the bus queues.
 If confiscated, phones and electronic equipment will be taken by staff to Mr. Holt and kept centrally for five
school days. An information slip will be provided to the pupil which will inform parents of the protocol for items
to be returned.
 This policy includes the sixth form when outside the sixth form area.
Uniform:
To maintain and improve uniform standards, the school is having a drive to keep ties up and top buttons fastened.
The distribution of clip-on ties by Year Managers is having the desired affect.
Cross country Success
All Saints’ students continue to be
successful at the Nottinghamshire
Schools Cross Country trials during
November. Competing against Years
10 and 11 from across the county Lewis Ashmore finished in 1st place with
Jordan Boam 5th, Joseph Ashmore 6th
and Liam Kyne 13th. Well done to all
those who competed.
Inter Form Results and Tables
Recent results in football have seen wins for 7GW (pictured),
8LJN and 9FGN. In badminton there were wins for 7HS, 8LJN
and 9FGN. The current overall standings are as follows:
Year 7
1- 7HS
2- 7MAN
3- 7GW
4- 7WD
5- 7MMN
6- 7KEE
Year 8
1- 8LJN
2- 8RE
3- 8NP
4- 8OH
5- 8JMY
6- 8HFT
Year 9
1- 9FGN
2- 9CCE
3- 9BG
4- 9NCY
5- 9CBS
6- 9BSH
Taekwondo Success
Congratulations to Daniel Hubery (11AWN) who has recently achieved his black belt in taekwondo.
Football Success
Congratulations to Ryan Clarke (9FGN), Elliot Savage (9FGN) and Kieran Blaney (9CCE) who were recently chosen
to represent The Mansfield and Ashfield District Schools Squad in a match against The East Ridings Schools.
All the boys were selected from trials they attended at the start of the year.
Ryan Clarke has also been signed to play for Chesterfield FC, this is a great achievement and we wish him success
in the future.
St Philip Neri School, representing the Mansfield Primary
Schools FA, lifted the Nottinghamshire Schools’ FA County
7-a-side title by defeating Kirkby Woodhouse School from the
Kirkby & District Association 2-1 with an
extra time goal in a very tense and hard
fought final at the 3G facility at Sutton
Lawn, Sutton-in-Ashfield.
St Philip Neri were the only unbeaten team
in the competition and will now represent
Nottinghamshire in the Regional Final
which will be held at Nottingham University
in March next year.
Pictured left is Bob Young, Notts Schools’
FA Chairman, presenting the trophy to the
team captain and pictured right is the
winning team. Congratulations and Good
luck in March.