Issue 18 26th jan 2018

FAMILY MATTERS HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

FRIDAY 26TH JAN ISSUE 18

Calling All ExHoly Family Students

M

“In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed.”

(Sid Caesar). @HFCSWaltham

www.holyfamily.waltham.sch.uk

@HFCSWaltham

HEADTEACHER'S MESSAGE Ofsted report

Performance Tables

Our Ofsted report following this month’s inspection of the school has now been released to the school. It will be published on the Ofsted website a week from today but we are permitted to share the report with parents and I am pleased to email everyone a copy through parentmail. The report is also available via our website. We are pleased with the report which reflects many of the very good things that take place at Holy Family. We will, of course, continue to work on areas that can be improved, but I am grateful to staff for their commitment, to parents, governors and clergy for their support and proud of the achievements and conduct of our students.

Each year the government produce performance tables or ‘league tables’ of school performance. These are based on the attainment and progress of students in schools. These tables show that students at Holy Family make, on average better than expected progress at KS4 and make excellent progress at in the sixth form. In fact our A level students make the best progress in Waltham Forest and the best progress of all the schools in Brentwood Diocese. The tables can be found at https://www.gov.uk/school-performancetables. League tables, of course, do not tell the whole story about a school. There are also many things not measured (and indeed, not easy to measure) in a school including participation in extra-curricular clubs and activities, the quality and range of music, drama, art and sport and the ethos and commitment to charitable work of a school.

None of these thigs appear in the league tables but they are all areas in which we are proud of the work we do and the achievements of our students.

Road Safety Film We were pleased to be asked by a Road Safety Charity if some of our students would take part in a public information film to encourage safe habits around busy roads.

A number of Yr 7 students took part in the filming this week. It was a great experience for them to work with a professional film crew and they received excellent feedback on their conduct and participation.

Parents’ surgery Parents’ surgery is every Thursday from 4pm to 5pm on the Walthamstow site. If ever I am unavailable, a member of the senior team substitutes for me.

Please continue to remember us in your prayers.

Dr Andy Stone Headteacher

HEADTEACHER'S MESSAGE HEADTEACHER

Commendations This week we have Headteacher commendations for the following students in Yr 10 nominated by their Year Leader, Ms Carrick.

Baptistin Mylla-Kakesa: Fantastic effort in both Maths and RE to improve his levels.

Lilia Bogdan: Gave a motivational speech to her tutor group at the start of the New Year then created and performed a song about social justice.

Weronika Gizycka: Weronika shows great concern for her peers, always supporting them in times of need and is always friendly.

Chloe Contaldo: Helped out a student in trouble for his lack of equipment without being prompted or knowing anyone had seen and told him to stop getting into trouble!

Sade Cowan: Always helpful and steps up without being asked when something needs doing.

Mariesa Gray: Always helpful and steps up without being asked when something needs doing.

HEADTEACHER'S MESSAGE HEADTEACHER

Commendations In Yr 9 Geography the following students have been nominated by their teacher, Ms Nordon: Cosmina Harabagiu 9R. Brilliant piece of home work on revision which she selflessly shared with other students.

Vyanna Hardy 9I. Vyanna is the most improved geography student because of her diligence, determination and dedication. Vyanna always responds well to feedback and asks incisive questions.

Kia Speary 9S Kia has a fantastic attitude to learning and works very hard. Kia is always helpful and polite in class. She inspires others in the class and is always very positive.

Lastly this week, in Technology, Mrs Perera nominates two students who have done extremely well in their ‘steady hand game’ research homework.

Well done to Dominick Aurelio 8E and Blessing Bitumba 8E who both scored 100%!

Well done to all these students for living out the Holy Family Way.

MEET THE

TEACHER

Miss Cowburn - Assistant Headteacher & English Who or what inspired you at school?

My English teacher, Miss Broadbent my favourite teacher at the time. Her lessons were amazing. I was watching Teacher's TV a few months ago and she was on there.

Where did you study?

My degree in English and Italian (joint hons) was at Warwick University and I did my PGCE at Goldsmith.

Have you always been a teacher?

No - when I left Uni I went into Market Research and I worked for a national opinion poll in Covent Garden. Then after two years I decided I needed to get a proper job!

Why did you want to become a teacher?

I didn't really at first - I fell into teaching, I wanted to do something worthwhile. When I trained I found out I was good at it.

If you hadn't become a teacher, what other career would have interested you?

Well I did want to be a Doctor in Yr9 but I didn't have a scientific mind. I would have liked to be a barrister because I'm good at arguing!

What three words would your students use to describe you?

Hahaha....I probably can't repeat those words!

But I have had some nice thank you cards so I can't be all that bad!

What has been your most embarrassing moment in teaching?

Well I did scratch Mrs Heath's car and I was so mortified that I ran into her French lesson to apologise - I think she thought I was mad and she didn't mind at all. Here's a classic - walking out of the toilets with my skirt tucked into my knickers - not a good look!

What would be your desert island book/song/film?

Book would have to be something about DIY to help me on the island - I'm really rubbish at DIY. Film I reckon would be Castaway, again to give me some hints and tips and I love it. Song would have to be I Will Survive!

Tell us something about yourself that most people wouldn’t know?

How much more do you want! I've ran the London Marathon three times. My personal best was in 2016 (4hrs, 17mins, 20secs) just after becoming a Mum! What would you be on University Challenge or Strictly Come Dancing?

Definitely Strictly! I love sequins!

What's the best thing about working at Holy Family?

Everything - I love everyday that I come to work, that's why I've been here for 20 years.

The

CHAPLAINCY CORNER MRS. GRIERSON

Walsingham House at Abbotswick

”This project builds a prayerful and inspiring future for the young people of Brentwood Diocese" BISHOP ALAN

The Brentwood Catholic Youth Service retreat centre, Walsingham House, has moved from Canvey Island to Abbotswick in Brentwood. I recently attended a meeting with other school Chaplains at Abbotswick and it is a fabulous space for young people. There is a standalone chapel, beautifully integrated with the natural surroundings. Set in 14 acres of grounds, it is a peaceful and stunning location to inspire reflection and prayer. For residential retreats, there are en-suite bedrooms plus an accessible bedroom. Of course buildings change but the mission to provide retreat experiences for young people, working with school and parish groups, remains. Joy, faith & friendship; serving young people and all who walk with them, inspired by Jesus Christ.

We wish Fr Dominic and the team all the best in their new home and continued mission.

“Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding. Where there is knowledge, the rooms are furnished with valuable, beautiful things.” Proverbs 24:3-4

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK Our Year 13 BTEC Media students attended a Boxing Gym for their director’s piece. They met the owner of the club and were able to see how the boxers train.

It was a great opportunity to be on a real life location where they took their storyboards and scripts to film.

They had the chance to speak to boxers and learn some of the skills, which they put into action. The owner of the gym was impressed with their filming and also how wellmannered the students were; he said 'They are welcome back anytime and it was great having them here’. Huge thanks to the Boxing Club and Mr Akubuko for setting this trip up, the students had a great day and benefited from the experience. Mrs Belgrave.

SOCIAL MEDIA CATCHUP @hfcswaltham

@hfcswaltham

Congratulations to the Yr8 Girls who came 3rd in the Waltham Forest 7-aside football tournamentÂ

Notices For

11s & 0 Yr 1

Year 11 Core Mock Exam TimetableÂ