Dear Students,

As always, I hope this newsletter finds you safe and well. This week, I have so many reasons to feel hopeful! We have seen many of our year 10 students return to school this week and it was such a joy to, once again see their faces. While school has been open to the children of key workers and for vulnerable pupils throughout the lockdown, welcoming year 10 back for some face-to-face teaching felt like a sign that we have taken a significant step forwards to some sense of normality.

The government announced this week that more restrictions are being lifted and that very soon we will be able to spend more time with more of our friends and family, stay overnight and visit others who live further away and even go on holiday in the UK! I personally am looking forward to getting my hair cut by someone who is actually trained and not my thirteen-year old daughter. I am also looking forward to going out for Sunday lunch in our village pub with my family and my Sproodle pups Bear and Maisie. It’s strange how this whole experience has made us value the simple things that previously perhaps we may have taken for granted. What have you missed and what are you looking forward to? Maybe you can take a moment to

reflect on how thankful you are for the simple things in life that bring you joy.

I am also hopeful that the virus infection rate is reducing and that government ministers appear confident that all pupils will return to school in September which all your teachers are looking forward to with glad hearts!

Out of the darkness of lockdown it seems that we can finally see the light appearing. There are so many references in the Bible to hope and love and light and it is hope that sustains people through difficult times secure in our faith that God’s love will give us the strength we need and see us through. God’s love with you all.

One of our regular contributors who has always been enthusiastic and conscientious in her commitment to her studies is Ella Peeke in Year 7. Here’s another great piece of work completed during Citizenship/Form time which is a Caesar wheel in commemoration of Alan TuringIn English, key stage three students have been doing a fantastic job with their descriptive writing unit and assessments. Mrs Cosnett would like to praise Theo Ratcliffe in 7F for his wonderful description of a magical creature inspired by Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’. Mrs Eldridge thought Melissa Chamber’s work inspired by a picture of an abandoned building was beautifully crafted and really showcased her talent for writing. Mrs Hughes would like to congratulate Alex Tutu for her consistently superb attitude towards English remote learning. Alex has been keeping in regular contact via email and produced several brilliant pieces of independent work. Well done Alex!

Meanwhile in Business, Mrs Martin has been hugely impressed by the quality of work produced by students in year 9 in response to a task where they needed to come up with their own business idea and produce a detailed business plan. When students return to school in September they will pitch their business to their classmates. We can see from what has been produced below that we have some budding

entrepreneurs in our midst!See Ben Latham’s Bin Crusher; a fantastic idea to compress rubbish.

Joseph Rogers in response to recent events with restrictions on crowds in place as a result of COVID-19, has come up with an idea for

an app which lets you know when venues such as shops and bars have reached capacity and how long the wait is likely to be. What a great idea! I wonder why no one has thought of it before… Anna Warby has come up with the idea of a make-up compressor to recycle broken make-up. Waste not want not! Her design looks meticulously planned.

Meanwhile for Art, Mrs Sylvester wanted to show Oliwia Majerczak’s detailed research on the street artist Banksy which is also beautifully presented.

Your Fantastic Work!!!

St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form

Pupil Password ResetsPlease be aware that it is particularly important that students check their school email accounts regularly (preferably daily on school days) as subject teachers and tutors frequently

send messages directly to students via these accounts. If you have any problems accessing your school email account, please email pupilpasswordreset@st-benedicts.org who will be able to resolve the issue for you.

St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form

Secret Student.... Could this be you?New this week! This section is for students who might not wish their name to be in the newsletter but we still want to celebrate their achievements. So, take a read below and could this be you…?

Miss Grudinska’s Secret StudentsIt has been really lovely to hear from these students who have taken the trouble to email me about how they are managing to exercise during this period of lock down. I know that most of us have become avid walkers during this time. Amongst the girls I have heard that ‘Chloe Ting’ has been a real hit with her workout classes. Joe Wick (as you know I am a fan) has also been an inspiration for some of you and you’ve even managed to get the entire family involved. Well done! Those dancers amongst us have shown their passion and diligence by continuing and enjoying their BTEC dance. We are really proud of you, good efforts all round!

Mrs Hughes’ Secret StudentMrs Hughes’ secret student is a member of her form. She was a little concerned because this pupil hadn’t submitted any work to their subject teachers recently so decided to call home. After working with them to resolve their IT issues, she is delighted to see that work is now beginning to come in and that a positive has already been awarded for their English work. Well done and Mrs Hughes is looking forward to seeing those positive points keep on growing and growing now!’

Your Fantastic Work!!!

This week we welcomed many of our year 10s back to school for face-to-face teaching in core subjects of Maths, English, Science and RE. We loved welcoming them back! Students behaviour has been excellent and their engagement in lessons was fantastic. Although many found the new arrangements and protections around social distancing strange at first, they showed great maturity and understanding. I spoke with many of them and it was clear that the whole experience of lockdown has reminded them how much they value their education and how challenging some of them have found remote learning. Students were glad that sessions focussed on preparation for their mock exams in September and found the content of the lessons extremely useful. Our thanks to teachers who designed and delivered the sessions while continuing to support the remote learning of all year groups.

Here’s what some of the students had to say...

‘It’s been really worthwhile being back in school even if it is only for one day a week as it has helped me to feel more confident about what I’m doing and my progress.’

‘I’ve really liked the fact that the sessions have focussed on helping us with mock exams as although I’m nervous about this, I also really want to know how I’m doing and how I can improve my grades. It’s also helped me with motivation which has been an issue for me while I’ve been at home.’

‘I have found being back at school energising!’‘It’s boring being stuck at home all day. I’m glad to be back at least for part of the time in school. I can focus and learn better here.’

So well done to our year 10s. Many members of staff have said how brilliant their attitude has been and how much they have enjoyed teaching and seeing them all again. Keep up the good work because it will pay off!

St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form

Year 10 Return to School...

Special Feature!

Last week we included an extended edition of our ‘Teachers are doing…’ feature. This week, teachers have continued their fitness efforts for National Sports Week.

Teachers are…. getting active

Caption: Year 10s this week focussing well in a Maths lesson

Here’s Mrs Fisher running 7K never

mind the heat! There’s no stopping the woman!

And finally….an update for you!

>>>> Ms Akram

achieved her goal of perfecting the

splits. It was never in doubt!!

Meanwhile, Mrs Grudzinska gets

on her bike over the weekend but is kitted out for the rain which fortunately held off!

Mr Holford would like to give a shout out to Riley Williams in year 10 for consistently handing in work of a good standard in History and doing extension and enrichment activities. Riley also received a mention in last week’s newsletter from his Geography teacher Miss Lowe, so keep it up Riley!

In Science, Mrs Williams has been super-impressed with the achievements and efforts of the following students in their recent Science Assessments.

Year 7Kristian TinkerSamuel HembryWillem Hembry

Millie BarryElla Peeke

Isabelle ShurmerAshton Creed

Year 8Niamh HillardConor HughesMaxim Wright

Daisy Dillon-CambridgeCarolina Lima

Also in Science, Ms Rayment would like to mention Charlie Ironmonger for his hard work on fire safety and his fantastic attitude towards learning and commitment to his studies.

St Benedict’s at St Benedict’s at

Teach-ers Get

Niamh Hillard in 8F has been incredibly busy with her fitness activities! Cycling

from Stratford to Alcester and back with her brother; that’s 24 miles!!! And as if

that wasn’t enough, she’s also been running regularly following the training programme

of her club Stratford Athletics. I feel exhausted just writing about this!

In addition to going on walks and riding her bike, Esme Arens and her sister have been climbing trees and creating their own obstacle courses so that they can ‘embrace staying active’!

This week is National Sports Week! After last week’s edition where teachers shared their sports and fitness related photos, I challenged students to do the same. See these fabulous pictures:

Lucy Pearl in 7D demonstrating her football

skills. She is grateful to be back training with her

team!

Ted Jedrzejewski in 7D has also been getting on his bike and enjoying the sunshine!

Students Sports Skills!

Students Get Biking

Students Get Climbing!

Ellen McGettigan in 7C has fortunately been able to carry on with her

favourite hobby of horse riding. Ellen

and her Mum cycle to her horses and

walk them every other day to keep fit

and healthy for when they go back to

competing. But that’s not all! Ellen has

also been playing netball with her Dad

and doing some running and walking. Phew…! Way to go Ellen!

Ben Herbert in 8C has been maintaining his cross-country running programme and he doesn’t let a little thing like rain stop him! Here he is using the running machine

in his garage. Now that’s dedication for you!

Sophie Cross in 7B has also been enjoying the company of

our equine friends! Ellen has been riding her

pony and even taking part in online shows….

and winning!!! These are fabulous

pics above. Well done

And our special commendation award goes to….Seraphia

Mellon in 9D! At the beginning of lockdown, Seraphia decided to

put the additional time she suddenly had to a good cause in order to raise money for the Alzheimer’s society. She was inspired to raise money for this

particular charity as she has close family members who sadly have the disease. What a worthwhile cause! She achieved her goal of running 100k over a number of weeks and raised £120! As if that wasn’t enough she has also been running regularly

with her sister Odette and doing the Joe Wick’s workouts. We are so proud of you Seraphia!

Students Get

Horse Riding!

Students Get Fit...

Students Exploring

Rhoda Emerson in 10C has been going

on lots of long walks with her Mum. In fact they

walk most evenings; an excellent way to stay fit

and physically active. While out on their walks

they have encountered all sorts of nature. Take

a look at this impressive specimen of a Cinnabar

Moth found on one of their evening strolls:

Great effort!

St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form

Calling all Wannabe Prefects!

Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey

At St Benedict’s we know that there is more to a school than just a child’s academic potential and we seek to nurture the whole child including their spiritual development as well as their character and mental wellbeing.

This time of lockdown has affected us all in different ways. Some children may have coped well with the changes brought about by lockdown while others may have struggled.

Next week, students in year 7 – 9 will be sent a link to a Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey and we would urge them to complete it as this will help us ensure that the right level of support and care is in place for students.

Year 10 and year 12 have already received and completed their surveys and we are in the process of responding to and adapting our provision as appropriate to the issues raised.

Being a prefect is a privilege and an honour. It means you are role model for the rest of the school and shows future colleges, universities, and employers that you can occupy a position of responsibility. This year, our year 11 prefects, ably lead by our Senior Prefects, Deputy Head Boy and Girl and Miss Green, have been amazing and we are so proud of them.

Applications for year 10 to become prefects, senior prefects and Deputy Head Boy and Girl are now open!! Just like any job interview, if you think you have what it takes you will need to fill in the application form that has been emailed to your student account by next Friday 3rd July. You must complete a personal statement that outlines your skills and personal attributes and why you would make an excellent prefect, ambassador and role model for our St Benedict’s community.

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, you can email Associate Assistant Headteacher Miss Green on green.e@st-benedicts.org We look forward to receiving your applications.

‘a jungle animal’

St Benedict’s Weeds & Wildflowers Poetry

Competition WinnersWe were overwhelmed with the response to our poetry competition and in awe of the standard. We are so proud to announce the winners in this week’s edition of the newsletter but we also want to acknowledge that the standard was incredibly high and we thank each and everyone of you who sent in your poems. They were a joy and a privilege to read!

Here’s a snippet of what our guest judge, Mrs Miles had to say about your entries.

“What an impressive range of entries for this year’s St Benedict’s poetry competition! Your responses to the brief of ‘Weeds and Wildflowers’ were very inventive: from malevolent buttercups to moving memorials; celebrations of edible weeds as well as those used to heal. Many used flowers and weeds as a way to respond to what is happening in the world around us. I certainly had to think twice before uprooting certain ‘weeds’ during some lockdown gardening sessions. That is why writing is so powerful: that ability to influence, entrance and entertain your readers, to make them feel. Regardless of whether your poem was ‘placed’, keep writing! Never has it been more important to have a voice in these ever-changing, challenging times. Use the power of your pen. Get your words out there.”

For the full version of her feedback, click on the link to our website here. As there were more than 160 entries, a huge thank you to Mrs Miles for her time and for her thoughtful insights. We would also like to thank Dr Fernie too for her

impressive work in organising this hugely successful and popular competition.

Years 7&81. ‘The Small Green Weed’ by Georgia Webb 7M2. ‘Dandelion’ by Oliwia Majerczak 8C3. ‘Forget me not’ (Dedicated to my Uncle Chris) by Lola-Mae Hatcher 7CHighly commended: ‘Innocent Buttercups’ by Antonia Leece 8D

Years 9 &10 1. ‘Daisies’ by Paige Little 9C2. ‘Bloomin’ Lockdown’ (by anonymous of 10F)3. ‘A dandelion in a field of daisies’ by Jack Adams 9M

In addition, all entrants have received points for their Houses. Well done to More house with an impressive 46 points!

Beckett 23Clitherow 40Dibdale 43Fisher 25More 46

Watch out for next week’s edition when we will announce the results of our entrants from Sixth Form students and publish some more of the winning poems this time from Sixth Form students for us all to read and enjoy! And remember students, writing poetry is a

fantastic way of expressing our thoughts and emotions so keep writing!

Here are the winning poems for years 7 & 8 and years 9 & 10 printed in full for you to enjoy. Well done Georgia Webb, 7M and Paige Little 9C!

Year 9 and Year 10 First Prize Winner: Daisies by Paige Little

Our judge said this: ‘This poem successfully combined the ambivalent attitudes expressed by some towards this delightful little flower, with personal memory. Beautiful poetic language was used throughout the poem. A shaped piece of work. Well done!’

Daisies, are they weeds or flowers?I sit here and wonder;It depends on what you see in themin the garden’s last light before the spring thunder.

Daisies, a beautiful reminder of sunshineThey appear while the fields are bare;While the trees are leafless bending in the windDaisies, so unassuming, spring up here and there.

Daisies, so humble and pretty and dainty with their small golden centre;Their white petals framing the fireand their stalks so tall and slender.

Daisies, oh how I loved to make chains from them,nature’s crown for little girls;I’d string them together one by oneto make a circle of flowers that haloed my curls.

Daisies, unwanted by some gardeners they may be, growing wherever they plant their roots;Flourishing in grass and fieldscreating havoc in landscaping pursuits.

Daisies will always be one of my favourite flowers, seeing them dance in the meadows;A beautiful reminder of life’s simple happiness,and how their modest beauty lifts my soul.

Year 7 and 8 First Prize Winner: Georgia Webb for ‘The Small Green Weed’

Our judge said this: ‘There was a strong sense of voice in this poem and a jaunty rhythm. I felt that this ‘worked’ as a whole and was entertaining and energetic. Well done!’

The Small Green Weed by Georgia WebbI may just grow from a humble seed,But I grow and grow, I am the weed.To make myself grow I don’t need soil,I grow from cracks in the pavement that makes Dad’s blood boil.

I’m ripped and broken and I am green,I am the same colour as a runner bean.I annoy some people, yes it’s true,I’ve probably annoyed someone just like you.

Don’t ever judge me because of my size, I expand and expand,I take over your land,You chop me up when you mow the grass,You hate me, you hate me, you think I’m trash.

I am the weed it’s clear to see.The flowers think they’re so much better than me,I come in peace, I say I say,Maybe I should just go away.

Message from Mrs O’Gara

A call to give the ‘best of oneself’

Pope Francis is a well-known football fan, his favourite team is San Lorenzo de Almagro. He has spoken on a number of occasions about the benefits of sport for young people.When discussing the importance of sport Pope Francis said that to give the best of oneself in sports is also a call to aspire to holiness and he expressed his conviction that young people nurture the hope of giving the best of themselves, the important thing is “that each believer discern his or her own path, that they bring out the very best of themselves, the most personal gifts that God has placed in their hearts.”Pope Francis concluded his message with a call to deepen the close connection that exists between sport and life drawing on the fact that an athletic discipline also serves as a way to always improve as a person, in all of life’s aspects.Sport, he concluded, is a very rich source of values and virtues that help us to become better people, training, practicing, discovering our limits without fear, struggling daily to improve.

In this way, “to the extent that each Christian grows in holiness, he or she, he said, will bear greater fruit for our world.”

I think Pope Francis is helping us to understand that we all have gifts from God and that as we strive to develop and grow these gifts, even if it is hard, we grow closer to God. So St Benedict’s it is time to get those trainers on and good luck!!

House Games Olympics Prayer Dear Lord,

We thank you for our teammates andour opponents who provide us an opportunity to compete.

We thank you for the good health that allows us to play sports. We thank you for our parents and teachers

who encourage us to try new things.We ask that You guide us in good sportsmanship so we may

begin and end each game as friends. Lord, please watch over us and keep us safe.

Amen

RSE Day 2020 and ‘Books I Love about Love’Today, is RSE Day 2020. The theme this year was ‘Books I love about love’. I asked our staff if they could recommend their favourite book on the theme of love and they didn’t disappoint!

Here are some of the titles they have recommended for you:

• The Tao of Pooh and the Te of Piglet (Mrs Akram)

• The Tatooist of Auschwitz

(Mrs Eldridge and Mrs Martin)

• Boy (Mr Madden)

• Twelfth Night (Dr Fernie)

• Little Dorrit (Mrs Dowson)

• Faith, Hope and Love (Mrs Hughes)

You can view the full compilation, with why they love the book they chose so much on the school website!So why not give one of these titles a read! Mrs Fisher (RSE Co-ordinator).

It’s all about Books!Finlay Rosiak recommends the first book in Rick Riordan’s ‘Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard’ series: ‘Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer’. ‘The book is about a 16-year-old boy who is living on the streets in Boston after his mother died in a strange accident. He is woken up by his friend, Blitz, who tells him someone is looking for him; he finds out it’s his uncle and cousin and goes to visit his other uncle’s mansion to find out why they are there. He is then taken to a river in the city centre where he pulls out an old, rusty sword from the depths. He faces down a monster and his adventure across the nine worlds begins…’ Finlay likes this book because it has a balance of tension and humour as well as an engaging storyline; he thinks it puts a new view on Norse mythology and is a really enjoyable readabout Books!

Remember, all the staff at St Benedict’s miss you and have you in their thoughts.

We are looking forward to the day we can welcome you back to school but until then, stay happy, stay healthy and keep learning!

God bless you all,Mrs Eldridge

Assistant Headteacher

St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form

St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form St Benedict’s at home Catholic High School and Sixth Form

We might not be able to hold Sports Day this year but instead, this is a unique opportunity to compete in our virtual House Games Olympics!!! Your House needs you!!! Complete as many of the challenges as possible;

the more challenges completed the more points you get for your House. Remember the St.Benedict’s House Olympic Creed; ‘The most important thing with competing is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.’

So with this in mind, we’d love to see as many of you involved as possible. Do it for your House! There are 7 challenges which you can complete throughout the week. With the exception of Challenge #1 ‘Going The Distance’, you can practise and perform your challenge as many times as you want but are only allowed to submit one entry per activity (your best result). Each time you go for a jog, walk, run or bike ride and record your distance on an app e.g. Strava, Garmin connect etc. upload your distance to the online form. We’d also love to see your photos of you doing the challenges and you can upload these if you wish on the form too.

COMPLETE AND ENTER YOUR ENTRY FORM HEREYou do not have to perform the activities in order or on one day but the aim is to complete as many

as possible throughout the week, either timed or to maximum, depending on the activity. Each submitted entry contributes points to your form score and automatically enters you into a prize draw for an Amazon gift voucher, medals and certificates for participating. There are points and prizes also for the top performances in each year group.

WHAT YOU CAN WIN!By competing in the Virtual Sports Week you will:• Automatically be entered into the £10 Amazon Voucher Prize Draw• Contribute towards your House winning our First ever Virtual Sports Day• Receive a certificate for entering• Gain a medal for being the highest points scorer in your year groups.

The more challenges you enter the more points you can obtain for your form. Bonus points are given for entering ALL the challenges. Here’s the point allocation below:

All challenges with instructions can be viewed on the website. Go and check out your P.E teachers performing the challenges!

For full details, please go to our school website. Any questions, please email Mr Alford alford.k@st-benedicts.org . Have fun and good luck!Please help spread the word and get as many people participating in the Virtual House Olympoc Games Challenges as you can.

Good luck everyone. Mr Alford!

St Benedict’s House Games Olympics Begins Week Commencing 29 June!!

Click here to Play introduction with

Mr Alford

Each Challenge Entry

For every challenge

you submit an entry

gain your form 5

points.

Complete ALL

ChallengesComplete ALL the

challenges and you gain

an extra 5 points for

your form so 40 points

in total.

Best individual AttemptExtra points will be award-ed for the top 5 scorers in each challenge1. 25 points2. 20 Points3. 15 points4. 10 points5. 5 points .