The

St John Fisher Catholic High School Oxford Road Dewsbury West Yorkshire WF13 4LL

e: headteacher@stjohnfisher.org.uk t: 01924 527000 f: 01924 527004 w: www.stjohnfisher.org.uk

e: headteacher@stjohnfisher.org.uk t: 01924 527000 f: 01924 527004 w: www.stjohnfisher.org.uk

St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy Oxford Road Dewsbury WF13 4LL

Dear Parents and Friends, As we move into the last few days of term, I wish to take the

opportunity of wishing you all a happy Christmas. I hope the holiday is a good one for you and your families.

Ben Restall R.I.P Please pray for the repose of the soul of Ben Restall (Year 12)

and that his family may be comforted. Ben died on 9th December following a relatively short ill-

ness. His bravery was an example to us all. Even whilst ill,

he achieved much in his GCSE examinations in the summer. He was a keen sportsman and sports fan. Hugely

popular, our community is a poorer place without his physical presence amongst us. He will always be with us. We trust

that he will now rest in peace with the Lord.

Charitable Action and Advent Services

All of our young people are taking part in Advent services and a number of other liturgies. On the morning of the last

day of term, Friday 18th December, there will be special reli-gious services for each year group in the school.

A non-uniform day was held on 4th December to boost funds for our partner school in Ghana. Our students have recently provided shoe boxes filled with gifts so that those less fortunate than us may know that there are people who care about them as children of God. Up to Christmas we are now collecting tins and packets of food and small toiletries and gifts to support the work of the SVP and Catholic Care in providing for those in our area who have very little in the festive period. Carol Service Our Carol Service this year will take place on Tuesday 15th December. The venue is St Aiden’s Church in Mirfield and the evening will commence at 7.30pm. Please come along.

Live Crib On the morning of Wednesday 16th December, our Sixth Formers will once again perform the “live crib” for the people of Dewsbury. This traditional event will begin at approximately 11.00 am outside the United Reform Church.

Changes to the Normal School Day On Friday 18th, lunch will begin early. This will be from 12.10pm. On Friday 18th December school will finish at 12.45 pm. The buses will come early but if your child needs to have other travel arrangements, please arrange these. School Reopening School will reopen at 8.50 a.m. on Tuesday, 5th January. A copy of the finalised term dates for Year 15-16 and 16-17 were circulated previously and can be found on the school website. School Attendance May I thank parents for their support with this and in particular for your help in reducing the number of term time holidays taken. Please remember, it is the school’s policy not to authorise absence for family holidays and it maybe that fixed penalty notices will be issued. Uniform/School Dress My thanks to parents for the efforts made to ensure the young people are smartly dressed. Generally, uniform has been excellent. May I remind parents that girls are permitted only to wear one pair of studs in their ear lobes and other jewellery, piercings and make up are not allowed. Hair styles must be appropriate for school and this will be judged by staff as noted in the prospectus. Can I remind you that girls are not permitted to wear short skirt, skinny trousers or leggings to school. School skirts should be no shorter than 5cm about the knee. Additionally, canvas pumps are also forbidden other than for PE. All students should be in plain, flat, black shoes. It is vital that all students have a sturdy bag to protect books and equipment. Yours sincerely

Kevin Higgins

December 2015

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CHRISTMAS EDITION

St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy

Term Dates - Academic Year 2015-16

PUPILS

Autumn Term 2015

Spring Term 2016

Summer Term 2016

FIRST DAY

HALF

TERM

LAST DAY

FIRST

DAY

HALF TERM

LAST DAY

FIRST

DAY

HALF TERM

LAST DAY

Wednesday 2nd

September

Monday 26th

October to

Monday 2nd

November

Friday 18th

December

Tuesday 5th

January

Monday 15th

February to

Monday 22nd

February

Thursday 24th

March

Monday 11th April

Monday

30th May to

Friday 3rd June

Tuesday 19th July

Attendance points:

House Shield total so far:

Key Dates up to February Half Term

Becket Campion Clitherow More

62 59.5 66.5 69

Becket Campion Clitherow More

93.8 93.6 94.1 95.7

14th January 2016 27th January 2016 5

th February 2016

6th February 2016

8th February 2016

11th February 2016

Yr. 9 Preference Evening 6th Form Parents’ Evening Non-uniform Day for School Charities VIth Form Advice/Interview Day Yr. 11 Reports issued Yr11 Parents’ Evening

Lourdes 2015

On July 2nd, we were at the closing stages of preparation for our trip to Lourdes. At 5:30pm a very late coach

arrived and we were off: a long twenty-four hour haul journey. There were just the eight of us with Miss Bolland and

Father Hall on a coach, along with another school consisting of over 30 girls.

We arrived in Lourdes at about 6:00 o'clock the next day . We stepped off our air conditioned bus to a lovely

heat, then stepped into our even more lovely hotel. Miss Bolland, who had been there seven times already, gave us

a guided tour: to be quite honest words cannot describe the view that we had there in the middle of the Pyrénées, a

wonderful clear blue river running through it and of course the domain the basilica

towered over. The domain and the basilica looked even better during the sunset,

as the sky turned a whole range of different colours. At the end of that night, there

was a bed waiting for all of us and we were all grateful for a good night’s sleep.

Every day of the trip had its highlights. However, the first and second day were

probably the days that stood out for me. On the Saturday afternoon, we had the

high stations of the cross, which were just amazing. Despite many complaining

about the hill we walked upon, there was so much to take in with the sheer size of the stations, especially when

Jesus is on the cross and you see just how big it really was. In the evening we had the first of the two torchlight

processions in which we paraded: I was holding our school cross, therefore I was

lucky enough to go up the steps of the basilica and witness the thousands of

candles parading around the domain.

On the second day we had the garden party; all the schools and pilgrims

attended. This was probably the highlight of the trip for me: it was just time for all of

us to get to know each other. There were so many brilliant people there and we all

made new friends, many of whom we still keep in touch with. The rest of the week

consisted of more exploration into the history of Lourdes, different kinds of masses, going to and getting in the baths

and lots of free social time.

If you ask any one of us who went on the trip, we will all say that it was a fantastic experience. In my opinion, it

was the complete opposite of what I expected: we made so many friends, our pilgrims which we looked after were

lovely, we actually had loads of free time to do whatever we wanted and we all had a brilliant time. If you get the

chance to go, whether you are in Sixth Form or Year 10, go on the Lourdes pilgrimage and ensure you take up the

fantastic opportunity!

- James Sweeney

My St. John Fisher Experience

On my first day at St. John Fishers, the only feelings bricked up inside me were anxiety and curiosity. To be honest, it was a bit strange as my last position was Year 6, also known as the eldest and the ‘bosses’ of the school.

However, now it’s all gone downhill and I’m the youngest in the school again.

Before I even started high school, I was constantly (but pointlessly) concerned about minor problems: if I couldn’t catch up and cope with my homework or if I got lost and muddled up with my classes. Within a week or two, I felt

settled in just like primary school. Quickly, I noticed that I wasn’t the only person in Year 7 who felt nervous. I sometimes thought I’d be the only one

struggling at St. John Fisher’s. Now, I feel confident with the school and I really hope everyone else in Year 7 does too.

- Alina Abbas 7I

Young Chef Rotary Competition

On Thursday, 12th November eight students competed in the Mini-heats for the Young Chef Rotary Competition. They had two hours to prepare and make a healthy, three course meal.

Students worked hard against the time to plate up some stunning final meals.

The 'judges' thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were seen rolling down corridors afterwards.

"It's like being at pizza express!" -Mrs Walker’s reaction after trying Molly Hawkins's garlic butter dough balls.

"Phenomenal chicken salad..."

-Mrs Gavaghan loved Kayden Ramsden's starter.

"I don't like salmon... but those fishcakes...WOW." -Miss South.

Every student had a dish to be proud of and it was so difficult choosing a winner. It was lovely to see the students so

keen and enjoying the experience. I hope to have the same enthusiasm for entries next year!

KS3 winner: Sam McCabe 7I Overall winner: Polly Flatley 10R

Battlefields Trip 2015

Lucie Gillet: French assistant

My name is Lucie Gillet, I'm the French language assistant. I am 23 and I come from Malestroit

in Brittany. I did a Master degree in Cinema in Rennes University and I specialised in American Gangster films. I love to read books, watch movies and travel around the world with

my friends. I came in England to improve my English and to see how you live.

I don't know yet what I want to do as a job: I'd love to be a movie director or a producer or a cinematographer (the person who does the lightning of a film): too many choices! Anyway I am

glad to work in your school and if you want to talk with me about France or anything else, I'd be happy to do so!

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

At 11pm on a cold Thursday night just before half term several Year 10 students gathered on the school drive to become another St John Fisher Pals’ Battalion. Waved off by their parents on a promise of an unforgettable life changing experience they embarked on a

journey that will stay with them forever.

Whilst on the visit the students learnt first-hand about the futility of war and walked the same

fields that the soldiers had done 100 years before them. All students agreed that the visit

was invaluable and really brought history to life.

‘Powerful, amazing

and irreplaceable. All

young men and

women need to see

and go to these places;

not just reading

account form text-

books. I am now

grateful in many more

and different ways.’

‘An experience I shall

never forget. So glad I

shared it with the

people I did. In a way it

has changed me and

the way I see things.

I am so thankful for

everything and

everyone that I have by

my side.’

‘Overall I don’t know how to describe this trip

other than life changing. I will never forget this.

It will live with me forever.’

Science Competition…

‘Chemistry in Everything’ Interview with Mrs. Walker

What is your job?

I am a science teacher.

If you could go back to any year of your life, which would it be and why?

I would go back to the years I had my beautiful children: 1999 and 2002.

What is your favourite film?

I have two favourite films: A Night to Remember and Deep Impact.

Which four people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party?

Jonas Salk, he invented the polio vaccine and released it free to the world. Jodie Picoult, my

favourite author and I’ve met her four times (not that I’m a stalker). Peter Kay, funny guy (I get

most of my jokes from him), and Victoria Wood, great comedian and down to earth person.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

Buy more musical instruments!

- Mrs. S. Walker, Science

Ideas to get you thinking…

Fireworks: the colours in fireworks are caused by metal salts

Coca cola (fizzing): carbon dioxide gas causing bubbles Plant: photosynthesis reaction equation - carbon dioxide

+ water à oxygen + glucose

You can also speak to any science teacher or look on the internet (www.compoundchem.com) for some more

ideas. How to enter…

Competition open to all staff and students.

On the back of your entry, please write your full name and form.

Please either give entries to Miss Dhorajiwala (in M8) or email to d-dhorajiwala@stjohnfisher.org.uk by Friday

5th

February 2016.

Prizes…

House points for entering Special goodies for entering

Prizes for winners from each Yea Group Photos used for ‘Chemistry in Everything’ display Top 5 photos sent to Royal Society of Chemistry

The wood in the bonfire is burning and this is a

process of combustion. Oxygen is required for

this and the products of this reaction are carbon

dioxide and water.

Explain the Chemistry in the photo

Take a photo of something that shows Chemistry

This year our school made up 110 shoeboxes; all filled with toys, toiletries, stationery and sweets to be sent

to children less fortunate than ourselves. Activities of a Bake Sale, Sweet Tombola and donations enabled

us to present a cheque for £450.50 which will cover postage charges for all of our boxes plus more.

Operation Christmas Child sends boxes to children in 100 countries all over the world. This year 100,000

boxes from the UK will be given to Syrian refugee children. Planning suggests that the boxes collected from

West Yorkshire will go to Liberia and Romania.

Thank you to everyone who helped by bringing in things to bring joy into children’s lives.

Operation Christmas Child 2015

Spen Valley Cup Football Update

The school teams have made a promising start to the year. We are still in the Spen Valley Cup in years 7 to 11 at the quarter final stage. Years 7 and 8 will play Thornhill, years 9 and 10 are scheduled to play Manor Croft, and Year 11 will play Whitcliffe. The under 13 and under 16 girls’ competitions begin in the

new year. We have also been playing in the annual Spen Valley seven-a-side Flood-lit Soccer Tournaments every

Wednesday night. To date, we have come second in years 10 and 11, with the year 7 and 8 tournaments to be played before we break up.

Our young leaders attached to teams are Zach Thompson and Jordan Graves. They have shown

fantastic

leadership working with the year 7 football and rugby teams.

Girls Swimming: North East England number one

Congratulations to the junior girls swimming team of Laura Bowler, Avril Bowler, Megan Bellhouse Smith

and Amy Wood, who competed in the English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) team relay event

for the North East region. They were Intermediate Girls Medley Relay winners and Intermediate Girls

Freestyle Relay winners. They competed with fourteen other schools from the north-east of England and

were accompanied by Miss Warr. Well done!

Rugby

In Rugby, years 7, 9 and 10 have qualified for the Yorkshire Schools Cup following qualification in the

more competitive Kirklees Schools Rugby Leagues. We need to reach the semi-final stage of the

Yorkshire Cup to progress to the National Schools competition. The year 7 team won the North Kirklees

Champion Schools Qualification tournament and are currently at the second round stage of the

Yorkshire Cup. Years 9 and 10 are also awaiting their second round fixtures after beating Meadowhead

school and Cathedral Academy.

Netball Along with football and rugby, netball practice has also been well attended since September. Practice is

every Thursday, and a number of games are scheduled to be played. The Year 7 team are currently unbeaten after three games. The Year 8 team have lost one and won the

rest of their games. The Year 10s have also lost one game and won two. We are all looking forward to

the tournaments in the upcoming months where we hope to continue with our winning streak!

Athletics

Congratulations to Callum Orange in Year 10 who is now the Under 15 England Athletics Triple Jump Champion and Gold Medallist. A fantastic achievement, well done!

School Sports Partnership

St John Fisher’s has played host to some major Primary School Games pathway events this term. The area’s Cross Country qualifier, comprising of six races (Year 4 Boys, Year 4 Girls, Year 5 Boys, Year 5 Girls, Year 6 Boys and Year 6 Girls), took place on October 7th, with all five of our feeder schools well

represented. On offer for the successful schools were places at the Kirklees Finals, which were to follow on October 16th.

We have also hosted a Year 3 and 4 six aside tournament for our feeder schools. A huge thank you needs to go to a number of our Year 11 and 6

th form students for their leadership in these events. Our

pupils continue to impress in the guidance, maturity and enjoyment they offer to pupils attending these events.

We have also held a Year 5 and 6 Sports Hall Athletics Competition in November. This was a fantastic

and competitive evening. Combining the girls’ and boys’ results, St Patrick’s were the overall winners

and progress to the Kirklees competition. A big thank you to our leaders who made the night possible:

Joe Booth, Jack Mitchell, Jay Scriven, Harry Copley, Josh Beevers, Caitlin Beevers, Codie Slack, Isobel

Bibby, James Sweeney, Beth Vickers, Hassan Sajjad, Hessan Qayyum and Sean Smith.

Girls Rugby

Girls Rugby training is increasing in popularity after the success of last year: we were Kirklees Champions in all year groups and went on to reach the semi-finals of the Yorkshire competition with our Year 10s and won the Year 8 competition. The girls’ competition continues to grow in size and stature,

and qualifiers for the Yorkshire Cup will begin after Christmas. We have been delighted with the attendance to both football and rugby practice this year. We regularly

see 40 to 50 pupils staying behind on a Wednesday and Thursday night for extra practice. This is only

going to see our teams improving further. Well done and Keep it up!

Year of Mercy

Pope Francis has announced that this Liturgical Year will be the Year of Mercy. It will begin 8th December on the day

of Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and end 20th November 2016 on the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is an

extra-ordinary occasion because it is unexpected. Pope Francis only announced that it was going to take place last year. (Jubilees normally take place every 25 - silver jubilee - and 50 -golden jubilee - years).

A jubilee is an event that originates within early Judaism. Every 50 years, Jews had a Holy Year of Jubilee which began on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) through which land that was owned by a family 50 years previously was given back to that family – a redistribution of wealth so that the gap between the poor and the rich did not get

too wide. Also the debts of the poor were ‘written off’ so that people could start afresh. Think here of the older translation of the Lord’s Prayer: ‘forgive our debts as we forgive those indebted to us’. Debts and the need to be rid of debt to live freely and sin and the need to be forgiven to live freely have an intimate connection. The date of the

beginning of the Year of Mercy is significant for two reasons : firstly, 8th December - Immaculate Conception of Mary

– the forgiving Father saves Mary from sin at her conception, which means Mary was conceived immune from original sin (unlike the rest of us) choosing her to be the Mother of man’s saviour: Christ Jesus. Secondly, the Year of Mercy is a Jubilee year because 50 years ago today marks the closing of the Second Vatican Council through which

‘the Church sensed a responsibility to be a living sign of the Father’s love in the world (Pope Francis).’

In the three parables of mercy Luke 15:1-32, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the forgiving father we find the core of the Gospel, because mercy is presented as a force that overcomes everything, filling the heart with love and

bringing joy and consolation through pardon. The parable teaches us – as does the petition about “trespasses” in the Lord’s Prayer – that we are called to show mercy because mercy has first being shown to us.

A key idea of the Year of Mercy is Pilgrimage. The school or college could become a ‘journey in faith’ which explores

the ‘way of mercy’ in a concrete way by using the building and environment to plot a ‘way of mercy’ or a deliberate focus on the ways of being merciful using the teaching of Jesus through the Parable of the Final Judgement (Sheep and Goats) Matthew 25:31-46. From this come the “corporeal works of mercy” ‘To feed the hungry, give drink to the

thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and the imprisoned, and bury the dead.’ The shared eye [in the logo below] is an attempt to express something about the Incarnation. Expressed here is

humility, empathy and solidarity with humanity and also that in sharing our condition Christ invites us to share his as

Son of the Father so that we can all be called sons and daughters of God and know God as our loving Father.

Pope Francis will open the Holy Door at St. Peter’s in Rome on 8th December. On the Third Sunday of Advent a Holy

Door will be opened by Bishop Marcus in St. Anne’s Cathedral in Leeds

- S. Wilkinson, Deputy Head

ST. JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC VOLUNTARY ACADEMY: AVAILABLE COURSES

AS/A-Levels Art & Design BTEC Sport Biology

Business Studies (Applied) Chemistry English Language English Literature

Financial Studies French General Studies

Geography

Health & Social Care (Applied)

History

ICT

Law Mathematics Further Mathematics Media Studies

Music Physical Education Psychology Physics

Product Design

Religious Studies

Science (Applied) Spanish Textiles

Travel & Tourism (Applied)

Level 2 Business Health & Social Care Financial Studies Photography English and Maths Product Design

99% PASS RATE AT A-LEVEL

34% A/B GRADES

87% OF STUDENTS

ACHIEVED / EXCEEDED VALUE ADDED TARGETS DERIVED FROM

PREVIOUS GCSE PERFORMANCE

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU

ST. JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC

VOLUNTARY ACADEMY

Imagine your future!

ST JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC VOLUNTARY ACADEMY - SIXTH FORM

Applications are welcomed from students who wish to study in an environment based on Christian principles. Please telephone 01924 527000 for a prospectus/invitation to the Open Evening

Enquiries to Mrs S. Wilkinson or e-mail s-wilkinson@stjohnfisher.org.uk.

OFSTED 2012 “The Sixth Form is good. As a result of good teaching and a broad set of subjects they can study, students have positive attitudes and achieve well”

- A-level exam results in top 25% of schools/colleges in August 2013

- 99% pass rate

Wide range of AS/A-Levels and Level 2 courses

“First class results”

“High standards of teaching” “The course is stimulating and enjoyable”

Applications for Sixth Form - 15th January 2016

Guidance Sessions/interviews for Sixth Form 6th February 2016