Bellerive News for parishes, parents, carers and community
Spring 2012 Welcome to our newsletter Memories Bellerive has been established since 1844, educating thousands of girls. Past pupils and staff have shared many memories at gatherings and reunions. Fifty years ago marked the end of an era for Bellerive FCJ Catholic College. Then known as Bellerive Convent Grammar School, it decided to close the boarding facilities. Bellerive had started to take boarders in 1844 at 3 St George’s Square Liverpool. The foundress wanted to establish facilities for boarders as a means of financing the FCJ sisters' work amongst the poor of the city. Past pupils recall that, by 1961, there were only about six girls boarding. They slept in a dormitory on the top floor of the building and were privileged to eat at the top table in the refectory, envied by the day pupils. The school was very much smaller than today: an official school photograph of the time shows just 350 of the pupils and 18 staff. Mother Gabriel was the Headteacher but rules meant that she and the other FCJ sisters could not be pictured. The photograph shows two current pupils modelling the brown uniform from Bellerive Convent Grammar School and the current green uniform.
Reunion If you are a past pupil, you can enjoy sharing memories with friends and staff at a reunion in May. Archive materials from the original school, St Mary’s High School and from Bellerive FCJ Catholic College will help jog memories! To find out more about the reunion, and download a booking form, visit www.bellerivefcj.org and click on "Past Pupils". Alternatively, you can email bellerivepastpupils@btconnect.com
Then and now. An Appeal The college would very much like to obtain a uniform representing that worn by St Mary’s RC High School. If you know of anyone who attended the school when it was known by this name, please ask if they would mind lending whatever items of uniform they may have (especially a blazer and tie) for the reunion in May. We also need items of the brown uniform worn by the pupils of Bellerive Convent Grammar. A skirt, tie, hat and boater would be welcome.
BELLERIVE OPEN EVENING Tuesday, 3rd July 6.00-8.30pm for girls wishing to enter in September 2013 You are invited to come along and see this outstanding school. Meet pupils and staff, view facilities & collect an application form. Pupils will be available to guide you around the site. There will be two informative presentations in the school hall during the evening.
Please ring 0151 727 2064 and ask to speak to Miss Healy.
Also in this issue: † French Club † Australia Visits † A Christmas Carol www.bellerivefcj.org
Specialising in the Sciences, Applied Learning, Maths and Computing
Ukelele Band Bellerive’s Ukulele Band was born in January! A number of pupils had fallen for the beautiful tones of the funny little Hawaiian guitar and decided that it was time to form a band. The repertoire already ranges from the modern music of Train (Hey, soul sister) to the comedic Muppet Theme Tune, catering for a range of musical tastes. Let’s hope Bellerive's Ukulele Band will go from strength to strength.
We've done it! Our Duke of Edinburgh experience has been amazing! We have enjoyed every minute of it, from learning new skills, improving our physical abilities and participating in voluntary work experience. Before we started our DofE, in 2010, none of us knew what we had signed up for! We just knew that it was a nationally recognised award. As time went on, we began to learn more about the programme and what we would have to do to achieve our Bronze Award. The commitment required meant not everyone who started was able to continue but the five of us that remained took on the challenges and have now succeeded. Our most recent activity was completing the qualifying expedition. We were highly praised for completing our 2 day walk through harsh weather conditions, the assessor himself had said that we were 'one of the best Bronze DofE groups' he had seen. Moreover everyone agreed that the expedition challenge was our favourite and also the most exciting part.
Year 7 ‘Away Days’
Below, two students, who completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award, comment:
Every girl in Year 7 attended an away day at LACE on the theme of friendship. During the day they had lots of time to think about why it is important to have friends and the ways in which they can be good friends to one another.
"I’m Mohammed. I started the DofE with everyone else in October/November last year. I didn’t really know what to expect, but have no regrets about having chosen to follow the programme. I found it really enjoyable and happily recommend it to anyone. For my DofE, I started learning to cook for my skill, found a place in a local Oxfam for my voluntary challenge and did karate for my physical challenge - which I had already been doing for some years. The DofE is a really good programme: I would recommend it to anyone!"
The girls made beautiful banners which were then used at their Welcome Mass, attended by families. Each banner celebrated the new friends that had been made since joining the college and that they are now part of the Bellerive community. Sister Catherine Bibby, FCJ, led a session about the Faithful companions of Jesus and also helped the girls to learn about the mandala.
"My name is Michelle. When I first heard that the school was doing the Duke of Edinburgh award I was uncertain whether I would be able to complete it because it was hard to achieve. To get this award you need to have motivation, determination and commitment to complete every section. I am glad that I made a good decision and decided to complete my DofE Bronze Award because I have enjoyed every minute of it and have gained lots of experience and skills. I completed 3 months' worth of skill and physical activities, (first aid and gym). The other 6 months consisted of volunteering. I chose work in a charity shop, where I spent four hours a week. Overall, participating in the DofE programme is an amazing experience! I would recommend everyone to try out Duke of Edinburgh Award whenever you have the chance."
French Club As part of the weekly French Club, Year 7 have learnt about the various traditions and cultural events in France. In order to better understand what happens at Christmas, pupils were involved in creating an "Epiphany Cake" known as the "Galette des Rois". Pupils learnt about why it is eaten at this time of year. Pupils then had the opportunity to both discover the meaning of the ingredients in French before finally baking the cake themselves. The following day, pupils in the French club were able to taste the cake, with the person who found the lucky charm (like a sixpence in a Christmas pudding) being elected "King" for the day. Much fun was had by all!
Top of the League Bellerive's Year 8 team are top of their group in the Southern Football League. The Year 7, 9 and Key Stage 4 teams also struck victory: all hold 2nd position. All of the Bellerive teams therefore made it through to a finals night against the Northern schools football teams. Well done to our footballers!
Business group visits Jaguar plant Some Year 10 girls visited the Jaguar/ Land Rover plant near the end of the Autumn term as part of a Business course. The students enjoyed a tour of the plant and also spent some time in their education base looking at the history of the company, production processes, company aims & objectives.
Our Ecologists visit the Sefton Coast Year 13 Biology and Applied Science students recently visited the Formby Point National Trust Reserve. On a beautiful, bright, chilly day, they used ecological techniques to collect data in order to investigate the process of Succession. They also considered the methods being used to conserve the fragile ecosystems and to support the native red squirrel population which is currently under threat.
FCJ work in Indonesia After Sr. Rachel FCJ returned from Indonesia to the UK, she visited to speak to Bellerive’s FCJ group. Sr. Rachel spoke about life in Indonesia and the work she had done there. She also taught the group a song and showed them pieces of material and a puppet that she had brought back from Indonesia. It was interesting to hear that people there often decorate their own material and make their own clothes, illustrating how different our life is here in comparison. The FCJ group often tries to look at ways in which they can help others in need around the world. They do this through being friends with each other and by having fun in meetings each week! The girls also fundraise and learn about the work of the FCJs so found it fascinating to hear of the work that Sr. Rachel and other FCJ sisters do around the world.
Students praised by employers After a programme of preparation, Year 10 students rose yet again to the challenge of Work Experience. One hundred and fifty six girls ventured out into the world of work, to learn new skills and also to demonstrate their own abilities. The students were uniformly praised by their employers for their manners, appearance, attitude and for their team working and listening skills. The girls took their responsibility in representing the school and their families very seriously and they are to be commended for the excellent impressions they created. We would like to extend our thanks to the local businesses and schools who kindly offered placements to our students and who were so generous with their time and effort in supporting them.
The visit provided first hand experience of ecology in practice in preparation for the forthcoming A2 examination and A2 portfolio work.
Flame Congress Flame Congress is a huge gathering for young Catholics in March this year. The event will offer them the very best of Catholic Youth Ministry in England and Wales: from speakers – local and international – bringing messages of hope, faith, challenge, justice, and leadership in adversity; to music which will be used back in schools and parishes to bring fresh animation and participation in liturgy; a dynamic atmosphere of joy and participation which happens when young people come together in such numbers and are well led, and completely engaged. Bellerive pupils will be boarding a coach to attend the Flame Congress. In order to do so they have to be successful in a competition we are holding in school. Pupils are already really excited about the event which promises to be fun and uplifting.
Keep the Cash! Teams of Sixth Formers enjoyed playing informative financial awareness games. "Keep the Cash", a new financial game, was designed by business education specialists, “Ambitious Minds”. The team game replicates the range of financial and employment issues that face every young adult once they leave home and move towards financial independence. Students grappled with the issues that they will face upon leaving full-time education: writing a CV, attending interviews, opening a bank account, finding accommodation, paying their monthly bills, managing debt, and understanding concepts like credit and interest. They also had mock interviews to give them a real taste of the business world. Clive Parritt, the President of the institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, visited and saw first-hand the positive impact that the sessions had upon the young people. Sister Brigid, Headteacher, said: “I want my students to leave Bellerive with the capacity to build successful futures that must include a clear grasp of finance. I was very impressed with the game and I am delighted that we are the first school in the country to use this inspirational and engaging programme for our students. I am confident that it will be of lifelong benefit to each of them.”
Australia visits
A University Challenge!
Bellerive has again played host to students from Genezzano FCJ College in Melbourne. Twenty eight students and six staff visited Bellerive as part of their European Sports Tour.
Twelve Year 9 pupils took part in a Science and Technology Challenge at Liverpool Hope University. These annual challenges take place in most major cities in the UK and it was Liverpool’s turn to show what they could do. All girls showed an exceptional talent in the various science and engineering projects undertaken with two girls in particular, Darcey Stephens and Olivia Dolan, impressing the judges with their consistently high standard across all tasks within their teams made up of students from mixed Liverpool schools. They were awarded a trophy each for being in the best group and go forward to the next stage where they will compete against winners across the North West.
Coaching at Anfield Their visit included a tour of Anfield stadium and a coaching session with Liverpool FC Youth Team coaches. Bellerive PE students and the girls’ football team accompanied the Australian students for the day, as well as hosting a number of them for an overnight stay in the city. “It was, once again, a great experience for the students from both colleges,” said Bellerive’s International Schools Project Manager, Mr McGrath.“We hope that the addition of the overnight stay in Liverpool will have fostered some firm friendships that will last for many years to come.” Further visits are planned between the two schools and Genezzano has extended an invitation to Bellerive for a reciprocal visit.
A Christmas Carol Emily Johnson of Year 11 reviews the performance. In the last week of the Autumn term, Bellerive FCJ Catholic College had the pleasure of feasting their eyes upon a one hour performance of A Christmas Carol by the creative and energetic three person theatre company, Tiny Giants. Bustling excitement was the general atmosphere inside Silvermere Hall (the main hall of the school) where over 100 pupils sat attentively, awaiting the production to begin. The teachers surrounded the edges of the hall, keeping an eye on the sea of green uniforms that were clearly enjoying a different sort of English lesson. Once the curtains opened, silence fell upon the hall, a man dressed in black began the performance in the role of narrator; he performed extremely well, capturing the attention of the audience and beginning the story of Scrooge with great effect. He took on a number of different roles throughout the play, as did the other two actors.
Pupils support the Samaritan’s Purse appeal Year 7 filled 50 Shoe Boxes for the Samaritan's Purse appeal. The boxes made a long journey overseas to their destination, having been collected near the end of term by Mr Taylor from the Samaritan's Purse. Some girls produced boxes individually and other girls worked in teams to produce boxes. The contents of the boxes helped make many children’s Christmas Day a happier one!
A mini set was used, that rotated effectively to reveal another dark and haunting setting in the novel. Contrasting colours of black, white and grey added the ghostly feel to the performance. Great humour was also used in the performance, for example, where two of Scrooge's colleagues discuss the news of his death. The two actors used hilarious voices that were verging on the ridiculous, causing an uproar of laughter from the audience. Indeed, the humour was one of the greatest aspects of the entire performance. The music the company used, such as the use of loud chiming bells and slow haunting melodies added a sinister feel to the performance. Overall, I thought the performance was a brilliant and accurate portrayal of the original text. It appealed to all ages, as shown by the performance receiving a very good reception from the audience which consisted of Years 8, 11 and staff. I would recommend that A Christmas Carol by Tiny Giants is invited back every year!
Mr Smith, who accompanied the girls said: “The level of teamwork and ingenuity that all our girls displayed on this day was very impressive and I can safely say that the future of science and engineering is a bright one in their hands!”
The Christmas Story In the last week of the Autumn term, students portrayed the story of Christmas through carols, readings and tableaux. The cast performed three times during the day and the delighted audiences were surprised to find Barney the donkey and two inquisitive Llamas, Harry and Chester, with walk on parts! In the morning, Year 5 and 6 pupils from St Clare's, St Austin's, Holy Trinity and All Saints primary schools enjoyed the nativity. Father Christmas and his helpers gave everyone a selection box after the performance. Residents from a local Care Home and local parishioners also attended, and enjoyed drinks & mince pies. An evening performance for parents, Governors and members of the community reminded all of the Christmas message. Overall, around 110 performers, assisted by the eager 4-legged animals, took part. Mary was portrayed by Year 8 Macy Iwediebo and Joseph by Sixth Former Eddy Chihumbiri. The three kings were played by Sixth Formers Sam Reason, Jeffrey Nyoni and Asif Ali.