Stuff@SJB Spring Edition - 2024

Dear Everyone, A

s we near the end of this term at SJB, I wanted to reflect on the journey we’ve shared over these past twelve weeks. Firstly, it is essential to mention all of the new SJB babies born since our last communication; Miss Grundy gave birth to baby Joseph and Mrs Fedorniak welcomed baby Myles into the world. Both families are doing well, and we will have more news about the SJB babies in the summer term!

It has been a blessing to spend Holy Week with our students, a time typically filled with the joyous celebrations of Easter. Holy Week normally falls in the first week of the holiday, so it has been a particular blessing to spend this time with the students and mark Maundy Thursday with our liturgy, which marks the highs and lows of Holy Week, concluding with Christ’s passion and death on the cross.

Thank you to parents and students for your hard work and support of our Lenten fundraising e orts. Thanks to your generosity, we have raised much-needed funds for our four chosen charities. A further update on this will be provided in the upcoming summer term once all the monies are in and counted!

The excellent a itude displayed by our Year 11s and 13s as they approach their exams has been notable. They’ve got a busy Easter period filled with revision, but I have no doubt they will achieve great things and make us all proud.

Our school has been a hive of activity with Spring Concerts showcasing the talents of our musicians, numerous sporting achievements, and enriching educational trips. We wish all those embarking on the

ski trip a wonderful and memorable trip, and we look forward to hearing all about it when we return next term.

The end of any term is always a celebration; however, it is more than often filled with a tinge of sadness. This term is no di erent, as we are saying goodbye to a few sta members. Mr Harte, in IT, is leaving us to pursue a career outside of IT, and Millie Schooling, one of our long-serving beloved cleaners, is retiring after many years of service to SJB; and finally, after 38 years of dedicated service as a PE teacher and a further seven as a student, our beloved PE teacher, Mrs. Shaw, bids farewell to the school community. With boundless energy and passion, she has inspired countless students to embrace a healthy lifestyle and excel in sports. Mrs Shaw told me she knew the time to retire had come when a Year 7 student told her this year that she had taught her Nan! We wish you all every success in the next chapter of your journey.

As we approach Easter Sunday, let us remember the true essence of this holy season. May the message of hope, renewal, and redemption fill our hearts as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wishing you all a peaceful and joyous Easter break.

God bless,

James Granville Hamshar

YEAR GROUP ROUN D UP

YEAR 8 YEAR 7

Life at SJB is always busy and Year 7 have certainly not stood still this term.

As I have moved around the school, sticking my head into lessons and observing how consistently engaged and focused the year group are, I am constantly wowed. The intricately decorated clay bowls created in Art, have been a highlight!

Yet school is so much more than classes, and Year 7 continue to lead the charge in terms of extra curricular activities. The Year 7 members of both the Junior Choir and Orchestra treated their audience to a fantastic evening of music at the recent Spring Concert. A special mention to Nithush and Seb Mulder who brought the house down with their solo performances. It is exciting to know that the students have been practising hard in their music lessons for weeks now and I look forward to seeing you all as our community comes together on the 23rd and 24th of April for our Year 7 concerts.

In other events, Year 7 sportsmen and women have continued to compete at home and away with some brilliant results. The Year 7 Girls’ Football Team in particular have done amazingly well and would give the ‘Lionesses’ a run for their money!

This term the Year 7 Council Representatives have led discussions with their tutor groups to get views on our rewards and behaviour policies. Their feedback was invaluable and will be shared with SLT at the full School Council Meeting. This ensures that the Year 7 student voice will be heard and help to shape any changes going forward.

The year group have also run Lenten Fundraising enterprises and supported each other fantastically - splashing any pocket money they have on sweet treats aplenty! I am confident they will have raised a superb sum for our chosen charities.

Finally, Super Form continues to be as competitive as ever. The Super Brain Quiz was a hive of intellectual energy and with the Great Easter Egg Drop this week, it is still anyone’s guess as to which form will lift the trophy in the summer!

By Mrs Alder

After returning from the Christmas holidays

Year 8 have worked their way through another busy term, filled with reflection days, Lenten fundraising and exams.

Back in January all Year 8 students a ended their reflection day at St Dunstan’s Church. The day was packed full of fun activities surrounding working together as a team. It was fantastic to witness students outside of the classroom, pu ing themselves outside of their comfort zone to work together, communicate and ensure everyone was included. The students represented themselves and the school exceptionally.

I would like to thank all parents for their support during the recent disrupted exam period for Year 8. Despite the change of plan, students were well prepared to sit their exams in their subject lessons and I was pleased to see everyone working so hard in the build up to, and during the exam period to achieve their potential.

Finally, the last 4 weeks we have been raising money selling fizzy drinks as a year group for Lent. The students have thrown themselves into the fundraising e orts, se ing up bake sales and Easter egg sales along with numerous other fundraising ideas to help the year group raise as much money for our Lenten charities as possible. Once again, I would like to thank parents for their support in the fundraising e orts, and the generous donations which have been made vis ScoPay.

I hope you all have a wonderful, restful and prayerful Easter break. Year 8 - ensure you rest up and recharge your ba eries to come back ready for what will be another busy summer term.

By Mr Hacker

YEAR 9

It’s been an incredibly busy half term for Year 9. Riding on the success of their hard work during exams, the Year 9s have been actively exploring their Year 10 curriculum choices and future career prospects. In our third week back after half term, we were visited by over ten industry representatives on our careers morning. Working in small groups we had to play a question game to discover the adult’s job, before being given the opportunity to guess their career for points. This intense game of quickfire ‘yes/ no’ questions meant that we were able to meet and talk to a virologist, a financial advisor, a pilot, a fireman and a graphic designer to mention just a few pathways. We would like to extend our gratitude to our very friendly and knowledgeable careers advisor Mrs Drury for organising the activities and the prizes. For any students still unsure about their future career choices and who want to talk more about jobs within their field of interest please remember you can email Mrs Drury to polite request an appointment with her (s.drury@ sjb.surrey.sch.uk).

Careers aside we have also been working hard to raise funds for our Lenten charities; a huge thank you once again for all of your support in our cream egg drive. The children have been really dedicated in both the selling, purchasing and eating of cream eggs throughout this half term. A special mention must also go out to Isabelle L, Zelie W, Henry H, Ashling M (and a li le help from Jonathan D in Year 11) who raised over £300 selling earrings and goodies at Mass last weekend. It really is testament to the year groups kindness that they are keen to get involved and show service, despite the pace at which this half term has sped by.

Outside of lessons we have also worked hard alongside the Student Council to ensure our student voice is heard. As a year group we have spoken passionately about how we want our school uniform to evolve and how important good behaviour is in our lessons. Through the sensible participation in our school surveys, and active participation in student led debates we continue to help shape our school environment. Watch this space Year 9, you said... and we heard... that you would like a rewards trip to look foward to. First week back after Easter we will be voting as a year group to decide on our afterschool trip and how to earn a ticket in the ra e. Will our best students be challenging Miss Daniels to a game of bowling? Aiming for a hole in one at Pirate Golf or solving a mystery at paradox escape rooms? You decide, work hard to get involved and be in with a chance of joining us on the rewards trip!

Our very busy half term and all of our e orts, has of course culminated in the year group choosing their options ready for September 2024. I want to finish by encouraging all of the students to really make the most of their Easter holiday, they are well deserved. Spring and Easter really is the best time of year to strengthen our faith, but also to pause and reflect. I hope Year 9 when you look back on this half term you can see that your hard work has paid o ! I am so very proud of you, and all that you have achieved in the past few weeks. I continue to be really excited about your journey at SJB and where your choices will lead!

By Miss Bates

It’s been another outstanding term for our Year 10s, with highlights ranging from sporting success to BTEC business exams. We’ve had a Year 10 dodgeball match forming part of our interform competition, it was so great to see the students enjoying themselves together, even if it did lead to a couple of tutors ge ing balls to the face.

The Year 10s have been giving everything they have got and it has been a pleasure to see the determination and e ort that every student has been displaying. We are well over 33,000 house points as a year group so far this year. This sets us up nicely leading into next half term and them becoming one step closer to their final goal.

We are all so proud of every member of Year 10, the praise and positive feedback they get as individuals and as a year grup is well deserved through their hard work, e ort and living the values at SJB everyday.

We wish you all a happy and healthy Easter break.

By Mr Young

YEAR11 YEAR10

It is nearly time. This year, this term, you have been nothing short of exceptional. It has been a privilege to watch how hard and diligently you have worked and to see the progress you have all been making. Some personal highlights for me

this year include the practical drama exams, which were both hilarious and u erly terrifying in equal measures. It is also a great opportunity to see you, as students, have the chance to express yourselves in the form of the arts. Food tech students; though Mrs. Cunningham specifically said I was not to eat the food before it had been examined; looking at the pictures of what you created made me immensely proud. The detail and care that had gone into the dishes you have made is a really special thing to behold. Now, we have had our fair share of fun abroad this half term! Mr. Evans and Mrs. Cavelle reported that a lovely time was had by all in Naples. The days were filled with lots of important Geography fieldwork, sightseeing, and a fair bit of pizza. The trip to Iceland was a huge success as well, where the students had the opportunity to witness amazing natural wonders such as glaciers, hot springs, and the Northern Lights even made an appearance. In fact, Miss Paling loved it so much, she decided to stay for a few extra days!

Safe to say, it has been a busy and fruitful term and has set us up perfectly for our return after Easter. When we come back, there will be lots of hard work, but also an opportunity to have some fun. The Form Cup champions will be crowned after Easter, and Miss MacMillan’s form has taken the lead at a pivotal point in the race for that glorious trophy. However, with the final form cup games worth double points it really is all to play for!

That leaves me to say, Year 11, have a lovely Easter. This holiday is a bit of a working holiday for you all, but there is still plenty of time for you to relax and recharge before returning for one final push next half term. Great job so far this year, you are nearly there, and you are making us all very proud.

By Mr. Ali

our hearts, like our recent Lenten fundraising.

Recently, along with the rest of the school, we celebrated World Book Day with a fun twist, as many students embraced the challenge of dressing up as Where’s Wally.

Beyond the fun, our students are focused on their futures. At our Next Steps talk, former students shared insights into apprenticeships, o ering valuable advice to both students and parents.

Looking ahead, our students are gearing up for their mock exams immediately after the Easter holidays. They’ll be pu ing into practice the revision techniques they’ve learned in form time to prepare for their exams. Their dedication and focus continue to impress us, showing that they’re not just preparing for the future—they’re actively shaping it.

By Mr Lenton

In the Christmas newsle er I spoke about the “lasts” that Year 13 were already starting to experience: the last school show, last carol concert, and last Christmas assembly. Now, as we end their last full term at SJB, it really is a chance for us all to reflect on all the successes they have had, and celebrate the amazing opportunities that lie before them. While many are excitedly confirming their UCAS o ers, choosing accommodation and applying for student finance, others have been going through rigorous selection processes for a range of degree apprenticeships. Having a vision for the future while keeping one foot in the present can be a real challenge, but it’s one that Year 13 have continued to rise to.

YEAR12 YEAR13

Our Sixth Former have been actively participating in and shaping the SJB community by playing a crucial role in the external application process, o ering tours and interviews to prospective students.

Meanwhile, our Sixth Form Commi ee have been busy organising fundraisers like quizzes, ra es, and doughnut sales. Their e orts support causes close to

I have been speaking to the year group about the sacrifices that are required in the name of success and Easter being a “working holiday” for them this year but, regardless, I wish all of Year 13 and their families a Happy and Holy Easter.

By Mr Newman

The enchanting world of Harry Po er came alive for a group of our Yr12 and 13 Art students during a recent trip to Warner Bros Studio. As they wandered through the corridors of Hogwarts and explored the secrets of Diagon Alley, each moment sparked inspiration and awe. Here’s what some of our students had to say about their unforge able experience:

Elani was captivated by the intricate set designs and costumes at Harry Po er World, finding them both inspirational and exciting. For Imogen, the array of prop designs, especially the creatures, ignited new ideas for her art projects.

Milla found joy in experiencing the authenticity of the original sets and was fascinated by the demonstrations of special e ects by tour guides. Izabella was captured by the a ention to detail in props like those found in the Weasley Twin’s store, despite their brief appearances on screen.

JT cherished the opportunity to explore the train and related it to his own mini project. Maya appreciated the diverse perspectives on art showcased throughout the trip, envisioning how she could apply techniques to her future artwork.

Poppy’s fascination lay in learning about prosthetics and the creation of character features like hands and noses. Deon was intrigued by the process of designing CGI elements, while Temi found the architectural drawings of Hogwarts and miniature models to be particularly fascinating.

Livia echoed Temi’s sentiments, finding insight into the design and creation process of Hogwarts through architectural drawings and miniature models. Ally discovered the magic behind the paintings in the movies, learning that they were all real oil paintings crafted by art students from various universities. Laura marvelled at the diverse creative mediums contributing to the films, such as concept artists,

recognising the depth of craftsmanship behind the magic on screen.

The Harry Po er Tour was not just a trip but a journey into the realms of imagination and creativity. Each student found something uniquely inspiring, whether it was in the meticulous details of prop design, the magic of special e ects, or the fusion of art and film. Since the trip the students have produced pieces of artwork inspired by their visit.

By Mrs Se erfield

Carrers @SJB

On Thursday 11th January 2024, SJB welcomed local employer Samsung to school who delivered a morning series of highly engaging and interactive careers discussions to Years 8, 9 and 10 about future roles in consumer technology and home electronics. During the year group 45 minutes sessions, students listened a entively to the range of di erent marketing, legal, financial, HR and product development careers pathways available to them from current university placement students. A key focus was on how to develop soft and hard skills in school and the importance of strengthening students’ communication and listening abilities to work e ectively in companies. A key highlight was looking at latest technology such as mobile phones and screen technology, including the future role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our learning and jobs. Many students left feeling ‘inspired’ and questions started to be asked in form time about apprenticeships and post-16 options, which was encouraging to see.

Meanwhile, the SJB school celebration of National Careers Week in March culminated with Year 9 students taking part in the annual ‘What’s My Line?’ Careers morning on Friday 8th March. As part of a week of programme activities to help Year 9 with making their Option choices, SJB welcomed ten local employers and SJB Alumni to school, from ice cream flavour creators to bird flu research scientists. Year 9 students worked in teams to ask single questions to identify the profession and role of each guest, with prizes for the winners. Throughout some highly imaginative and original job roles were suggested! Many Year 9 students left with a spring in their step when thinking about future roles and professions. Elsewhere across the schools, students have made visits to local colleges to learn about technical and

vocational courses whilst some Year 12 students have continued with their Procter and Gamble-led toothpaste product marketing and development programmes.

As a careers-driven school, we remain commi ed to maximising opportunities for all students to experience encounters with local employers and colleges to equip our learners with the latest market information. With Mrs. Drury, SJB’s highly qualified in-school Careers Advisor, also available for bespoke Careers Guidance Interviews, SJB students have a wealth of information and resources at their fingertips to help them stay highly informed when considering their next steps.

A reminder that parents and carers can also have their own Unifrog account. You can research careers, a end webinars delivered by employers and universities to learn more about their opportunities, and compare pathways so you can support your child in making an informed decision about their next steps. To request access, please email: r.czepukojc@ sjb.surrey.sch.uk

Finally, please do visit the updated Careers pages on our school website - a wealth of information from Local Market Information to Apprenticeships and upcoming events is at your fingertips to help parents and students with making informed choices about next steps.

By Mr Czepukojc

environmental committee

The environmental commi ee have been meeting regularly to focus on the aim of improving the outside environment and energy saving. They have been busy locating sites around the school to increase wildlife and biodiversity. The first site they have started work on is the grass area outside the sixth form block and they have seeded a wildflower meadow and planted some forget-me-nots which are just starting to come into flower. They are looking forward to watching the meadow come into bloom and are deciding on the next site!

They have also created some posters and stickers to raise awareness of energy use and encouraging students and sta to save energy by turning o lights, computers, projectors and air conditioning units. Look out for these appearing around the school in the next few weeks.

By Mr Newman

POLITICS A LEVEL TRIP HOUSES OF PARLIMENT

The trip to Parliament began with a thorough security check of an already annoyed politics class, frustrated by the early alarm set that morning and the cold, winter weather they had to wait in for half an hour. Once through and endowed with visitor IDs, the class was the taken to the foot of Victoria Tower. From there the class was split into two with my group taking the lead.

We passed through two grandiose doors, climbing a stretch of stairs to find a collection of former prime ministers’ heads. The busts included notable figures such as Disraeli and Pi , already reminding me of the brilliant history that the building we were walking through possessed.

After gazing at the many large portraits of whitewigged men in tights, we stopped in the Prince’s Chamber-just besides the Lords. As our tour guide delved into the history of the room we stood in, I saw

many students marvelling at the grandeur of the chamber. In a panoramic style, twenty-eight portraits of Tudor Royals lay hooked to the four walls the class stood between. After a brief sco at the fact that Henry VII found the room to be to small, we moved into the Lords.

Brushing past the chandeliers, expensive leather and the (literally) golden Throne of the Sovereign, what was most interesting was the tour guide’s impassioned defence of the Lords. In recent years it has come into question whether a democracy as proud as ours can truly call itself that when it has an unelected chamber. But from what she said it is clear that it is still a valuable tool for the UK due to variety of experience peers have to add to improve our laws.

Then came another hefty set of stairs, and once at the top we were able to view the work taking place in the House of Commons. It was less exciting compared to

the Lords as we were only allowed to sit in the Gallery and watch a debate about what seemed to be a very bland bill. However it was somewhat redeeming to see that the MPs we so often mock are, sometimes, able to focus on the minutiae of boring legislation rather than the ribaldry of PMQs.

With a break for lunch, the class sca ered around Trafalgar Square to try to find a reasonably priced meal. Though my classmates and I failed, we regrouped and started our walk down Whitehall to the Supreme Court. Though the Court may seem old due to its “neo-gothic” design, it has only existed since 2009. For that reason, there was a very stark di erence in interior between the modern Court, and the asbestos filled Palace of Westminster. From the information provided to us, the Supreme Court has not been another ine cient cog in the sti , stalling machine that is the government. From its very inception it has dealt with the most serious legal questions facing our country, and not just ours as the

Court is the highest court for many Commonwealth countries as well.

From my lengthy experience of two hours in Parliament it is clear that the way our system works is worthy of a disappointed sigh. The 800 or so years that it has been in existence has led to a bundle of complicated laws and absurd procedures, some not even wri en in a language we today could understand. But at the same time we can be proud about this as it shows that rather than implode into anarchy, we have sought to improve life on this li le island through a strong belief in law and democracy. The Supreme Court is by historical standards still an infant, so I refrain from judging it too quickly. So in conclusion, for all its shortcomings Parliament is still a building filled with passionate people, such as our tour guide, who believe that through it we can improve each other’s lives.

By Shea Mitchell, Year 13

WORLD

BOOK DAY

On Friday 1st of March, we celebrated World Book Day at SJB and what a great World Book Day we had! The school was buzzing with the magic of storytelling, as students and sta alike celebrated the joy and power of books. The energy and enthusiasm for reading were palpable, and, as you can see from the photos below, there was a wide range of creative costumes on show and it was fantastic to see students (and sta !) approach the day with such enthusiasm.

Additionally, I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who generously donated books to our Lenten charity ‘Books2Africa’. Your contributions exceeded expectations and we are sending o twelve

fully-packed boxes of books to communities across Africa, ensuring that those less-fortunate than us will have an opportunity to discover new books and enhance their educational prospects.

As the Literacy Lead, I couldn’t be more proud of the way our school came together to celebrate the magic of reading. World Book Day reminded us all of the importance of literacy in shaping our lives and

broadening our horizons.

Thank you to everyone who participated in making World Book Day such a resounding success.

Have a wonderful Easter and happy reading!

By Mr Rowan.

Ambassadors

Empowering Innovation: Meet the Apple Ambassadors

The Apple Ambassadors—our dynamic student commi ee—have been making waves this term, leaving an indelible mark on our school community. These passionate students have engaged in a whirlwind of activities, collaborating with various visitors to enhance our digital o ering.

First, they sat down with the CEO of Arbor, providing invaluable student feedback on the platform. Their insights have directly influenced improvements, ensuring a smoother experience for all users. Next, they met with the Head of User Experience, sharing

their perspectives on usability and design. Their input has been instrumental, and they are due a follow up meeting to see how their points raised have been actioned.

But that’s not all! At the recent SJB ‘Decade of Digital’ Conference, the Apple Ambassadors took centre stage. Co-leading a seminar, they eloquently explained the pivotal role of student commi ees. Their passion for innovation and collaboration resonated with the audience, inspiring educators. As a direct consequence the app Goodnotes wants to

make SJB a case study and highlight us as a leading UK school for digital teaching and learning.

Beyond the conference, these ambassadors extended their hospitality to 15 teachers from Holland. Guiding them on a comprehensive tour of our school, they highlighted the transformative role of iPads at SJB. The teachers left impressed by their knowledge and enthusiasm.

Lastly, the Apple Ambassadors welcomed sta from Apple itself. Their articulate discussions showcased the power of student-driven initiatives. These young leaders embody the spirit of innovation, bridging the gap between technology and education. In a world where digital literacy is paramount, our Apple Ambassadors stand at the forefront, advocating for progress and excellence. Their eloquence, enthusiasm, and commitment are a testament to the bright future they are shaping for our school community.

By Miss Atherton

Florence GCSE TRIP

In February, seventeen GCSE Italian students headed to the beautiful, historic city of Florence, along with Miss Ellis and Mrs Mackay, in pursuit of ‘la dolce vita’.

One of the main parts of the trip was for students to practise their Italian, and this was helped by the Italian lessons they had each day at an Italian language school. The students enjoyed the small classes, and although they found the teachers speaking solely in Italian a bit of a challenge to begin with, by the final day of lessons, they had grown in confidence and understanding.

As well as studying Italian, we were able to explore Florence and immerse ourselves in the culture and

history it has to o er. On the first day, we were given a guided tour of the city in Italian, a good warm-up for the Italian lessons, which enabled us to see the main sites of the city and also learn some interesting facts about Florence. Did you know that the Ponte Vecchio, the most famous bridge in Florence, has a secret corridor across it which the Medici family used to cross the river without being seen?

We ended our first full day in Florence with a walk up to the Piazzale Michelangelo with a gelato pitstop on the way, and made it to the top just in time to see the stunning view of the city at sunset; it was well worth all those steps!

As the trip went on, we also saw some of the most

famous pieces of art in the world in three of the main art galleries in Florence. At the Accademia Gallery, students were surprised at just how large Michelangelo’s statue of David was. However, it must be said that one of the highlights of the trip for a number of students was bumping into another more contemporary Davide; the former winner of Love Island!

We ate well throughout the trip, with a three course Italian meal in a local restaurant each evening, and a pizza night on the last evening. Our final day in Florence ended with a chocolate shop demonstration and tasting, where we all packed into the tiny shop and workshop to hear about the making of artisanal chocolate. And of course, we couldn’t resist one more gelato before we left!

The fun didn’t end in Florence however, as we even squeezed in a trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before our flight home. After climbing the 251 steps up to the top, needless to say, there were a few tired students (and teachers) on the flight home after a jam-packed few days.

If you study Italian and are currently in Year 9 or 10, look out for promotion later this year for Florence 2025!

By Miss Ellis

FRANCE

BATTLEFIELDS

On 9th March, the Year 9s embarked on their journey to Belgium and France for their Ba lefields trip. This trip was for us to commemorate those who died in the First World War, and provided a unique learning experience as we have learnt about The First World War in History.

On our first day, we went to see some British trenches and we visited the site where John McCrae wrote his famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. This site has now also been converted into a British cemetery for the fallen soldiers who have died there and we sadly

found a grave of a 15 year old British soldier who have been laid to rest there. We also went to see the Menin Gate last post ceremony which has happened every day at 8pm since the end of the First World War to honour the British Empire and it’s allies who died in Ypres.

The next day, we were focused more on sites located in France, such as the Notre Dame de Lore e war cemetery, Beaumont Hammel Newfound Memorial and Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. We also visited Vimy Ridge, a Canadian memorial site where we visited the preserved trenches of Canadian troops

and the Lochnagar Crater which was caused by an explosion of 27,216 kilograms of explosives from the British army and planted beneath the German lines.

Lastly, we went to the Bayernwald German Trenches in Belgium. This is the trench that Adolf Hitler infamously fought in for the First World War. We then went to pay our tributes to two more cemeteries: the Tyne Cot British & Commonwealth Cemetery and the Langemark German Cemetery. Before heading o to Calais, we visited Ypres town centre for some free time and we were lucky to visit a famous chocolate shop there.

By Christina Delos Reyes, 9MTO

On Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th January, the English department took our Year 11 students to visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London to support their study of Romeo and Juliet for their upcoming GCSE Literature exam. Our students are very lucky to get the opportunity to visit this site as it truly brings to life a text which is intended to be seen, not heard! The day consisted of a tour of the theatre led by a company member who provided fascinating facts about the building; the plays that were performed there; the behaviour of the audience members and a wide range of facts about the Elizabethan era. The tour was then followed up by a drama workshop, using key scenes from the play as inspiration for students to create their own pieces. Activities in the workshop ranged from: stomping around angrily in the role of Tybalt to clapping along with Friar Lawrence’s monologue. This allowed our students to question the choices made by Shakespeare in the creation process and gave them the chance to work collaboratively.

Following the tour, we walked along a very sunny (albeit very cold) Southbank to have lunch at the National Theatre. This provided students with an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast how far theatres have developed and the features that

have evolved or remained the same.

Our Year 11s really enjoyed the day and, as always, were a credit to our school.

By Miss Ru e

LENTEN FUNDRISING

In the spirit of Lent, students at SJB have embarked on an honourable journey, driven by compassion, to raise funds for the wonderful charities we are supporting this year. This year’s Lenten fundraising e orts have seen the entire school community come together, each year group contributing in their unique way to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Year 7 students were o ering an assortment of sweets. With their infectious enthusiasm, they not only filled the school with sweetness but also warmed hearts with their dedication to the causes.

Meanwhile, Year 8 ventured into the world of refreshments. Their fizzy drinks stalls o ered welldeserved refreshments aNer a day at school to raise funds for charity. Their commitment to the cause bubbled over, inspiring others to join in on fundraising.

Year 9 were using the appeal of the Cadbury Cream Egg to raise funds - to very good e ect!

In a bid to appeal to the gaming enthusiasts in the school, Year 10 and 11 students – with large help from Mr Ali organised an exciting ra e with the grand prize of a PlayStation 5. The appeal of the latest gaming console drew considerable a ention, with students eagerly purchasing tickets for a chance to win while contributing to charitable endeavours. Their innovative approach showcased their determination to make a di erence.

The Sixth Form organised multiple approaches to fundraising. On Fridays, the smell of doughnuts filled the air as we sold these irresistible treats, enticing fellow students. Additionally, we hosted an SJB Quiz, testing participants’ knowledge while raising funds through entry fees which was enjoyed by many. Currently, we are in the midst of running yet another ra e with some prizes donated kindly by local organisations.

As the Lenten season comes to an end as we approach Easter, the spirit of giving continues to flourish at SJB. With each contribution, no ma er how big or small, students show their commitment to making a positive di erence in the world. Their collective e orts live out the Gospel values that lie at the heart of the school’s values showing generosity and bringing change to this world. I’m sure that The Lighthouse, Lourdes SJB and Books2Africa will be in a be er position to help those in need with the financial support coming their way.

By Pearl Alighieri, Year 12

Napl

Year 11 GEOGRAPHY Trip

Our Year 11 geography students were fortunate enough to enjoy a trip to Naples during February half term. It was a memorable trip filled with exploration, learning, and fun!

Firstly, upon arrival we had the unique opportunity to explore the city of Naples and in particular the underground tunnels of Naples. This historical site o ered a glimpse into the city’s past and provided valuable insights into its geological and historical features.

Next, we immersed ourselves in the past and visited the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Walking through these well-preserved sites, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, was a truly awe-inspiring experience. We had knowledgeable local guides accompanying us to provide context and ensure our understanding of the historical and geological significance of these sites.

Of course, no trip to Italy would be complete without indulging in the local cuisine! We enjoyed sampling authentic Neapolitan pizza and pasta and we even had the opportunity to participate in a gelato-making class in Sorrento.

The trip culminated in a 2 hour trek to the top of Mount Vesuvius and although it was a challenge the views we were greeted with at the top were worth it. The sun was shining and we had excellent views looking out to the Mediterranean and the island of Capri.

All the students had a brilliant time and were excellent ambassadors for SJB throughout the entire stay.

SPORTS CLUB ROUN D UP

Term 2 Sports Clubs

Another fantastic term of PE extra-curricular sport. Here is a brief roundup of our core and additional sports.

Netball

This season, the Year 7 Girls’ Netball Team have been incredible. Their growth in confidence and performance has been nothing short of incredible. From shaky beginnings to dominating the court, they’ve shown immense dedication and teamwork. Winning two league games, and coming 5th out of 9 schools in the District Tournament were highlights. I am very excited for this team next year!

Well done to the Year 8 Netball Team who finished the season o with a league win. They entered the District Tournament as strong favourites but were placed in a pool with both SWP’s and Gordon’s who had not taken part in the leagues this year. They lost 8-4 to SWP’s in the first game (8 minute games) which

shows the speed and intensity of the game. Second game saw a decisive win 10-0 against King’s, followed by a loss of 6-3 to Gordon’s. Our last game in the pool was an 11-2 win against Collingwood. The two losses meant we missed out on the semi finals and were in the playo s for 4th & 5th spots. This was playedo against Chertsey High and resulted in a win of 8-1. So once again congratulations to an outstanding team!

The Year 9 girls have had a fabulous season coming first in their in their pool in the netball league and to top it all o , their brilliant commitment and determination has resulted in them coming third in the District League (only being beaten by Gordon’s and Sir William Perkins).

The Year 10 girls were absolutely chu ed with the progress they made in the district tournament this year. This resulted in coming 5th out of 9 schools in the District. It’s clear to see they’ve made great progress throughout the season and finished strongly. Well done to all who have played in the team this season.

What a season the sixth form girls have had. They deserve huge recognition and congratulations as a result of their hard work and camaraderie this year. They currently lie 4th in the surrey sixth form league BUT they still have 3 games left!

Girls Football

The Year 7 Girls Football Team have started their time at SJB with an amazing season. We can now o cially say they are undefeated in the Woking District League. With wins against Winston, Fullbrook, and Salesian this term and scoring 16 goals and conceding only 2, we await to hear about the finals for the District League.

Our Year 8 and 9 Girl’s Football Team have truly stepped up their game! From the first whistle to the final kick, they’ve grown in confidence and worked seamlessly together on the pitch. Their unity and determination have been nothing short of inspiring. After defeat at the beginning in our first two games, our final two games saw us take the win! A huge well done to this team, we are very proud.

With another 2 wins this term for the Year 10 & 11 girls against Saleisan and Winston, we wait to hear if they qualify for the District Final. They’ve shown some great play on the pitch this term, so our fingers are crossed for them.

Boys Football

The year 7 Boys Football Team have played four matches this term against Chertsey High, BDB, Woking High and Fullbrook, winning 3 and losing just 1; scoring 16 goals and conceding just 5, so a very impressive e ort this term.

The Year 8 Football Team have had a great season making huge improvements this year. They have played 8, won 5, drawn 2 and lost just one game! They have really gelled well as a team and consistently produced an excellent level of football. We now await other results to see if we have finished in the top 2 in the league which would qualify us for the District Final.

The Year 8s have had a tough run of fixtures against good opposition in the local District League. After winning the competition last year the team have become the ones to beat amongst local schools! Tough games against Winston and Chertsey High have both resulted in losses, nonetheless, the boys continue to come to training every week and have shown their commitment and dedication to improving as a year group throughout the season.

The Year 10 boys have continued to be unbeaten this year, highlighted by a 6-0 win away at Chertsey High. They have booked themselves into the district final.

A busy half term for the sixth form boys football team has seen a mix of results - 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. The highlight being a 7-1 victory over our neighbours Woking College. Thanks to all the boys for representing the school this year, and a particular thank you to our Year 13 players, Ross, Sam, Nabiel and Luca who leave us at the end of this year.

Boys Basketball

The Year 7 boys won the overall District Tournament and are awaiting the next round of the Junior NBA where they are seeded #2! Club numbers have been massive too with an average of 30-40 students each week.

The Year 8 Boys Basketball Teams (A&B squads) have competed in the final 2 rounds of the boys district basketball competitions both held at SJB. The A team finished 3rd in round 2 and 3rd in round 3, thus finishing 3rd overall for the year which is a great achievement in a very strong basketball year. The B team finished 8th in round 2 and 7th in round 3 but finished 10th overall for the district. The Year 8s have also played in the Junior NBA competition representing as the LA Lakers with the stand out game being a 31-27 against Ashcombe school.

The Year 10 Boys Basketball Team have played 3 games winning 1 but narrow loses in the other 2. The boys have been super dedicated to training every Thursday morning before school working hard on their game. The future looks bright, especially as there are a few boys new to the sport regularly a ending, which is great for the team moving forwards.

The Sixth Form Basketball Team have had a very psitive finish to the season. Playing six games this term, winning 3 and losing 3; scoring 319 points and

conceding 348 which works out at an average of scoring 53 points per game and conceding 58, showing how close the games have been. The highlight was probably the final game of the season against Reigate where we went into overtime with a last second 3 pointer from Andrew Chidede and it was left to Temi Awojobi to score the winning points from the free throw line in his final game as a year 13 student.

Year 9 and 10 Indoor Cricket

The boys won their District Tournament beating Woking high and Salesian School. The boys then moved to the regional tournament where they had a huge win vs Gordons but fell short against Hinchley Wood!

Panathlon

What a great morning the students all had. Students in Year 7 and 8 were chosen to represent SJB to take part in several multi skill events held at Winston Churchill School. The SJB values were seen in action.

Badminton

KS3 and KS4 girls and boys both played in the District Badminton Tournament this term. KS3 thoroughly enjoyed their tournament but missed out on placing in the top 3. KS4 played so well and placed 3rd in both the girls and boys competition.

Year 7 Sportshall Athletics

A huge well done to the Year 7s who partook in the sportshall athletics post-Christmas and made it through to the County Finals. They fought hard with fierce competition around and were great ambassadors of SJB.

SJB

Think for yourself, be independent Collaborate with others Challenge yourself, don’t give up Curious and creative Participate fully Positive attitude

Try your best to improve

The Learning and Teaching Commi ee have spent some time this term giving feedback to a group of their teachers about what they like about di erent aspect of their lessons and what they think could be improved. The students from Year 7 to Year 13 spoke in particular about assessments, homework, behaviour and revision.

The Commi ee have also been speaking to visitors to our school (including some from the Netherlands!) about the school’s curriculum and our focus on digital learning especially. All the visitors commented on how articulate the students were and how knowledgeable they were about SJB. Recently, some members of the Commi ee have supported at sta interviews by becoming student observers. They have been trained in what makes a really great lesson, ready to give feedback to the interview candidate and the school’s Leadership Team. Having students involved in the recruitment process is exciting!

If any other students would like to join the L&T Commi ee, please contact Miss Cavell.

By Miss Cavell

Satro Problem Solving STEM competition DT

On 6th February, the SJB DT department hosted the prestigious Satro STEM Problem solving competition. Our school was competing against 8 other schools across the county in one of the 5 regional heats. We entered a team of 6 for KS3, KS4 and KS5, and all had the opportunity to chat to design and engineering industry volunteers such as Air Products and Uvex about their designs in the competition. The challenge set by Satro linked to one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and this years’ challenges is inspired by “Zero Hunger”. The students were given a problem to design and build a vehicle to securely move food from one country to another as quickly as possible under its own power. There was a fantastic buzz in the air from all the schools and it was lovely to see our students collaborating to solve the problem. Although all three teams got almost perfect scores for the Design section, we didn’t qualify overall to get into the finals. Thank you to all students who took part. We are incredibly proud of their e orts and how they’d represented SJB to the wider community.

Students were challenged and shown great resilience, working, and communicating as a team. I would like to say a thank you also to the Year 8s who kindly volunteered to help host the competition as well as the SJB support sta who helped to make this fantastic event happen. Lastly, a big thanks goes to Mrs Armstrong and Ms Muscat who supported throughout the whole evening with me. We look forward to competing again next year.

By Mrs Ray

On the evening of Tuesday 6th of a several schools across a number of age groups came to SJB to compete in a SATRO competition in which they needed to come up with an innovative solution to a task. The task this year was themed around world hunger, and we were challenged to create a contraption which would utilise elastic bands to propel a food parcel 1.2 meters in distance. We worked as a team for 1.5 hours to complete the problem continuously finding

new problems with our design and needing rethink, After the 1.5 hours were up, we tested to mechanism. Sadly, it wasn’t as e ective as we had imagined, however we learnt many valuable lessons along the way. We were incredibly resilient, working as hard as we could until the end. We understood the value of communication and listening to everyone around us, and most importantly we all had a great time. We look all look forward to entering again next year!

Joe Duggan, Year 12

Personally, I found that taking part in the Satro competition is something memorable. Although, the team I was part of didn’t manage to win, being able to work with my peers in such a challenging competition was very exciting and fun. Coming up with ideas and listening to others as well as having to solve problems with our model as a team showed me the benefits of being in a team and having others around me to help. If possible, I would be more than happy to take part in a similar competition as overall it was a terrific, engaging experience.

Julie e Todd, Year 10

Year 8 AWAY DAY

On the Year 8 Away Day we all walked together to enjoy a day of community and teambuilding activities at St Dunstan’s. When we first arrived, we were taken to our form rooms for the day to drop o our bags then went straight into the church to start our day in prayer. The school chaplain, Mrs Hogson, reminded us all of the importance of teamwork and that despite all our di erences we were one big team as a year group. She talked about the di erent strengths of Jesus’ team (the apostles) and how di erent they all were from each other but they still worked together to do God’s work. When we went back to our form rooms we were challenged to use our communication and teamwork skills and were put into groups of 4 or 5 to tackle many di erent tasks. Some examples of these was trying to build the tallest tower with random supplies and making an acrostic poem with the word team or teamwork. We made new friends and got to know everyone more and more with each task… appreciating each others strengths and supporting each other with their weaknesses. The activities were all so fun and really helped us to improve our

teamwork and communication skills. We were lucky that the weather was nice enough for us to sit out and enjoy lunch together in the parish gardens. At the end of the day we all gathered in the church to sing, pray and place a candle in front of the altar to represent the unique gifts and talents that each of

us bring to SJB. Thank you to St Dunstan’s parish for o ering the parish to us for the day and for making us feel so welcome!

By Alice Farrugia, Year 8