St. Ambrose Barlow RC High School Weekly Newsletter by St. Ambrose Barlow RC High School

ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM

FAITH IN YOU

LOVE IN LEARNING

HOPE IN BETTER

this week in our school . . .

1Volume 6 Issue 2 April 23rd, 2021 COVER ART: HARRY ECCLES, YEAR 11

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Head’s . THIS WEEK AROUNDstart THE SCHOOL

you have demonstrated your love of learning I get to Maths to find all of Year 9 embroiled your creativity.and exciting week. in a taskthrough that is so challenging With all the focus nationally on Year 11 and their that I want to stay and have a go myself. efforts to secure grades it seems appropriate It is about this time of year that I meet with that Outside There it’s: “Sir, have you seen my tie? have also been many examples of when you each Head of Department to own review theon the frontCan youhave openacted my bottle? What did you new pupils into we have featured one of our Y11s kindly and welcomed summer’s exam results. game? What time isisit,just so lovely to cover. Or rather his work This - andinvolves what spring-like think of last yournight’s friendship groups - which plenty of useful and thought-provoking Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh work it is. Harry’s excellent image captures the see. It's amazing to see so my many of you modelling discussion, but it is usually talking about days!” It can be noisy at times and in a colour and vitality of growth and the beauty of the our this schools values: LOVE, LEARN, LEAD. numbers and letters. Behind this data are community size core we can’t expect natural world things often forgotten and frequently stories: how pupils did, how they felt, what everyone to get on with each other all the under-appreciated these times. We Next we will be starting our new Year 7 they liked and whatinthey achieved. time. But it isweek our community, and a lively, always focus on how things can be lovely, positive one Club at that. Friendship which will be a great opportunity for improved well as celebrating what wentthis week The other as work featured in the newsletter some of you to meet new friends within your year well. As a Catholic school, exam are the single highlight of my week, if I comes from Year 10 artists with a results series of works Perhapsgroup! just one way of expressing the unique, Godhad to pick, would be the conversation I had inspired by life, colour and texture under the sea. given talents and skills of each pupil. It is with Mrs. Fay who is leading the As well as that the RE department have showcased Have of a great weekend important to look beyond the data so I am development our new library.Year I am7!a adelighted small sample of the work that pupils are doing in Miss Prady that much more of my job involves library enthusiast and have been ever since Year being8.in classes, walking around the school I was little. The furthest reach of my and talking to pupils, students and staff. memory is back to moments spent in our local library entranced by its colour and Whilst what you read here may only be a tiny If ever you are feeling at all despondent or On Twitter snapshot of the work that pupils produce it shouldbright possibilities. It’s been a Fantastic l first few weeks back and I am fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school #RememberingMyLibrary reveals the hold serve as a powerful reminder of their talents, their proud of the way your children have returned to would quickly raise your spirits. Let me that such an institution has: ‘A library card curiosity and their readiness to respond to school. show you what I mean. Today (Thursday, was a free pass to wonderment, words and challenge and, in doing do, to achieve. September 29th) for instance, I dropped into the ability to roam the world’ observes one Uniform andquotes lines inthe thewrought morningiron has been Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was user, whilst another Finally, you that in response form‘Read, tutors have delighted tomay listenrecall to performances of to the gates ofexemplary Stalybridgeand library, Mark,spoken positively Beethoven’s Symphony, Back our Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ they Others talk of in their return. pandemic weNinth took the decision Hold to change about how resilient have been the River and When the Saints Go Marching the escape that a library represented or of house system to a year group form system. This The support for one another coupled with In. Icontinued also got toassitpupils with Daniel and Chester it offered from an unkind has have returned to school the refuge engagement in lessons has world. really helped make this as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing and in this week’s newsletter each of the Heads of a successful start. talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised the Mrs. Fay spent last Saturday peacefully Year has written a short message to their year canteen and made a point of watching the stacking the shelves and we are inching group, and by extension, to daily. you asPupils parents and closer toIt’s great toWhat see the pupils football at lunch, interactions that take place and opening. thrilled meplaying was her carers. spending time boys, socially together and working in staff holding doors open for one another, comment that several some of whom offering thanks, little moments of personal affect a dislike ofAreading, were electrified bysupport as lessons. lot of this is down to your appreciation and gratitude. Of course, presence of a library in their school: ‘You I hope that you enjoy this week’s issue and find parents so a huge thank you to you. things don’twithin always well in a school, but it mean I can borrow this and, like, read it, something to go lift your spirits. is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from Miss?’ was the breathless utterance of one Mrs McGowan a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or pupil. Our library is at the heart of the God bless, see one pupil help another who is unsure school: a space for being open to and where to go for class. sharing ideas and experiences. It is openplan and its shelves serve as a reminder Ben Davis In Sixth Form, I enjoyed a lengthy chat with that there should be no barrier to anyone Headteacher Aidan who explained both the theory of using itsThis volumes seeking knowledge, weekor I have witnessed how a differentiation and its potential commercial solace, entertainment or information. I can’t number Y9 students are excellent examples to us application. In English they were studying wait to see it come to life in the weeks all of how our ethos works each day for the growth the play Blood Brothers and talking with ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of This week has been a brilliant for Year 7: helpers.of each individual in our school community – faith in humour and excitement about week superstitions; you, love in learning and hope in better. in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new We’ve lots of and greatexploring things this missionseen statement theweek around Ben Davis, Headteacher Obviously there are many others in the year being personalinmeanings within it. School is a There’sTwitter: @BenDavis1972 school; lessons and around the school. busy, bustling, humming place. recognised by form teachers and class teachers for been some excellent work in lessons where lots of Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the HEAD’S START

Year 8

Year 9

Year 7

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Head’s . THIS WEEK AROUNDstart THE SCHOOL

Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week.

It is about this time of year that I meet with each Head of Department to review the summer’s exam results. This involves plenty of useful and thought-provoking discussion, but it is usually talking about numbers and letters. Behind this data are stories: how pupils did, how they felt, what they liked and what they achieved. We always focus on how things can be improved as well as celebrating what went well. As a Catholic school, exam results are Perhaps the single highlight of my week, if I just one way of expressing the unique, Godhad to pick, would be the conversation I had given talents and skills of each pupil. It is with Mrs. Fay who is leading the important to look beyond the data so I am development of our new library. I am a delighted that much more of my job involves library enthusiast and have been ever since being in classes, walking around the school I was little. The furthest reach of my andYear talking to pupils, andBates; staff. Freddie Mercury memory by is back moments spentEyes in our 10 Art: Tupacstudents by Braydon Ellie to Dunning; Animal by Grace Seddon local library entranced by its colour and If ever you are feeling at all despondent or bright possibilities. On Twitter fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school #RememberingMyLibrary reveals the hold would quickly raise your spirits. Let me that such an institution has: ‘A library card show you what I mean. Today (Thursday, was a free pass to wonderment, words and September 29th) for instance, I dropped into the ability to roam the world’ observes one Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron delighted to listen to performances of gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk of the River and When the Saints Go Marching the escape that a library represented or of In. I also got to sit with Daniel and Chester the refuge it offered from an unkind world. as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised the Mrs. Fay spent last Saturday peacefully canteen and made a point of watching the stacking the shelves and we are inching interactions that take place daily. Pupils and closer to opening. What thrilled me was her staff holding doors open for one another, comment that several boys, some of whom offering thanks, little moments of personal affect a dislike of reading, were electrified by appreciation and gratitude. Of course, presence of a library in their school: ‘You things don’t always go well in a school, but it mean I can borrow this and, like, read it, is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from Miss?’ was the breathless utterance of one a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or pupil. Our library is at the heart of the see one pupil help another who is unsure school: a space for being open to and where to go for class. sharing ideas and experiences. It is openplan and its shelves serve as a reminder In Sixth Form, I enjoyed a lengthy chat with that there should be no barrier to anyone Aidan who explained both the theory of using its volumes or seeking knowledge, differentiation and its potential commercial solace, entertainment or information. I can’t application. In English they were studying wait to see it come to life in the weeks the play Blood Brothers and talking with ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of humour and excitement about superstitions; helpers. in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new mission statement and exploring the Ben Davis, Headteacher personal meanings within it. School is a Twitter: @BenDavis1972 busy, bustling, humming place. 2

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Head’s . THIS WEEK AROUNDstart THE SCHOOL

Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the I get to Maths to find all of Year 9 embroiled week. in a task that is so challenging and exciting their achievements, and I look forward to celebrating year, that the (very) large that I want to it’s stayencouraging and have a to gosee myself. It is about thisnext timefew of year that  I meet with Outside majority it’s: “Sir, of have you seen tie? hard to regain more over the weeks. students havemy worked each Head of Department to review the Can yousome open kind my bottle? What yousure that they have of control anddid make summer’s exam results. This involves think of last night’s game? What time it, leave us at the something in place when they is finally plenty of useful and thought-provoking Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my Mr Stephenson (Head of Y9) end of this academic year. discussion, but it is usually talking about days!” It can be noisy at times and in a numbers and letters. Behind this data are community this size we can’t expect Just remember: “One other day you’ll look back and stories: how pupils did, how they felt, what everyone to get on with each all the   realise how hard it wasand anda just how well you did.” they liked and what they achieved. We time. But it is our community, lively, always focus on how things can be lovely, positive one at that. improved as well as celebrating what went Keep going – we’re nearly there! It well. has been absolute delight to see the Year As a an Catholic school, exam results are 10 Perhaps the single highlight of my week, if I pupils back in school after thethe Easter break. just one way of expressing unique, God-Their had to pick, be the I had Staywould safe and Godconversation Bless. given talents and skills of each pupil. Itthis is with Mrs. Fay who is leading the resilience and determination throughout important to look beyond thebeen dataincredible so I am to development of our new library. I am a turbulent academic year has Mr Merriman delighted that much more of my job involves library enthusiast and have been ever since witness and myself and their form tutors are very being in classes, walking around the school I was little. The furthest reach of my proud of them all. and talking to pupils, students and staff. memory is back to moments spent in our local library entranced by its colour and Walking around school I have seen examples ofbright possibilities. On Twitter If ever you are the feeling at all despondent or Pupils in Year 8 have been learning about the varied some of the wonderful worktour pupils areschool producing and fatigued I reckon a quick of the #RememberingMyLibrary reveals the hold and vocations of card holy Catholic men and would quicklyby raise Let me points that such an inspirational institution has: ‘A library this is echoed the your manyspirits. achievement women. During lessons, pupils showare youbeing what awarded I mean. Today (Thursday, and had pupils by staff. Special mention was to a free pass to wonderment, words have opportunities writeobserves speeches, elegies, obituaries September 29th) instance, I dropped intoare the ability to roam theto world’ one form 10F who, withfor 356 achievement points, Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron and raps celebrating the achievements and legacies leading the way in Year 10. delighted to listen to performances of gates ofof Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, St. Oscar Romero, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back Learn and Inwardly Digest.’and Others talk of Teresa of Calcutta others. Thank you and for your participation nights parents the River When the Saints in Golast Marching the escape that a library represented or of evening. It was a sit wonderful opportunity for staff to the refuge it offered from an unkind world. In. I also got to with Daniel and Chester Louis, 8M, impressed the class with an imaginative as they their prodigious share howdemonstrated well the pupils they teach areDJing doing. about Maximilian Kolbe and his inspirational talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised the Mrs. Fayrap spent lastSt. Saturday peacefully canteen stackingsacrifice. the shelves and we are inching Take Careand made a point of watching the interactions that take place daily. Pupils and closer to opening. What thrilled me was her staff holding doors open for one another, comment that several some of whom Harsha wrote aboys, thoughtful and detailed obituary Mrs Toon offering thanks, little moments of personal affect a dislike of reading, were electrified celebrating the life of St. Teresa ofby Calcutta and appreciation and gratitude. Of course, presence of a library in their school: ‘You Valeria reflected on the legacy of St. Oscar Romero things don’t always go well in a school, but it mean I can borrow this and, like, read it, andthe symbols of hope in the Romero is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from Miss?’ was breathless utterance of one Cross.

YEAR 10

YEAR 8 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

YEAR 11

a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or 11 pupil. Our library is at the heart of the I’m incredibly proud to see how hard Year consider the vocations in the see one pupil help another who is unsure school: aPupils spacehave for being open todifferent and students are working. Their education, arguably, has and roles we playIt in role as the Body of where to go for class. sharing Church ideas and experiences. is our openbeen hit the hardest in terms of their final outcomes. plan andChrist its shelves serve as a reminder on Earth. However, their work ethic,aresilience and with In Sixth Form, I enjoyed lengthy chat that there should be no barrier to anyone Aidan who explained the theory of determination, while notboth surprising, is fantastic to using its volumes or seeking knowledge, differentiation and its potential witness. They really are a creditcommercial to themselves. solace, entertainment or information. I can’t application. In English they were studying wait to see it come to life in the weeks the play Blood Brothers and talking with Some know exactly the paths they want to take, ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of humour and excitement about superstitions; helpers. while others are stillwere a little unsure so they are in Year 7 RE they dissecting our new keeping optionsand open. missiontheir statement exploring the Ben Davis, Headteacher personal meanings within it. School is a Twitter: @BenDavis1972 Either whilehumming they haveplace. had no control over a lot busy,way, bustling, 2 of what has been happening around them this past 4

“

Head’s . THIS WEEK AROUNDstart THE SCHOOL

Perhaps the single highlight of my week, if I had to pick, would be the conversation I had with Mrs. Fay who is leading the development of our new library. I am a library enthusiast and have been ever since I was little. The furthest reach of my memory is back to moments spent in our local library entranced by its colour and If ever you are feeling at all despondent or bright possibilities. On Twitter fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school #RememberingMyLibrary reveals the hold would quickly raise your spirits. Let me that such an institution has: ‘A library card Year 11you GCSEwhat photography show I mean. Today (Thursday, was a free pass to wonderment, words and September 29th) for instance, I dropped into the ability to roam the world’ observes one Clockwise fromMusic. top left:There, Georgia Jarrett; Maisie user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron Year 10 GCSE I was Ney; Ruby delighted toGodsell listen to performances of gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk of the River and When the Saints Go Marching the escape that a library represented or of In. I also got to sit with Daniel and Chester the refuge it offered from an unkind world. as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised the Mrs. Fay spent last Saturday peacefully canteen and made a point of watching the stacking the shelves and we are inching interactions that take place daily. Pupils and closer to opening. What thrilled me was her staff holding doors open for one another, comment that several boys, some of whom offering thanks, little moments of personal affect a dislike of reading, were electrified by appreciation and gratitude. Of course, presence of a library in their school: ‘You things don’t always go well in a school, but it mean I can borrow this and, like, read it, is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from Miss?’ was the breathless utterance of one a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or pupil. Our library is at the heart of the see one pupil help another who is unsure school: a space for being open to and where to go for class. sharing ideas and experiences. It is openplan and its shelves serve as a reminder In Sixth Form, I enjoyed a lengthy chat with that there should be no barrier to anyone Aidan who explained both the theory of using its volumes or seeking knowledge, differentiation and its potential commercial solace, entertainment or information. I can’t application. In English they were studying wait to see it come to life in the weeks the play Blood Brothers and talking with ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of humour and excitement about superstitions; helpers. in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new mission statement and exploring the Ben Davis, Headteacher personal meanings within it. School is a Twitter: @BenDavis1972 busy, bustling, humming place.

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“

Head’s . THIS WEEK AROUNDstart THE SCHOOL

Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week. It is about this time of year that I meet with each Head of Department to review the summer’s exam results. This involves plenty of useful and thought-provoking discussion, but it is usually talking about numbers and letters. Behind this data are stories: how pupils did, how they felt, what they liked and what they achieved. We always focus on how things can be improved as well as celebrating what went well. As a Catholic school, exam results are just one way of expressing the unique, Godgiven talents and skills of each pupil. It is important to look beyond the data so I am delighted that much more of my job involves being in classes, walking around the school and talking to pupils, students and staff. If ever you are feeling at all despondent or fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school would quickly raise your spirits. Let me show you what I mean. Today (Thursday, September 29th) for instance, I dropped into Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was delighted to listen to performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back the River and When the Saints Go Marching In. I also got to sit with Daniel and Chester as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised the canteen and made a point of watching the interactions that take place daily. Pupils and staff holding doors open for one another, offering thanks, little moments of personal appreciation and gratitude. Of course, things don’t always go well in a school, but it is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or see one pupil help another who is unsure where to go for class. In Sixth Form, I enjoyed a lengthy chat with Aidan who explained both the theory of differentiation and its potential commercial application. In English they were studying the play Blood Brothers and talking with humour and excitement about superstitions; in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new mission statement and exploring the personal meanings within it. School is a busy, bustling, humming place.

I get to Maths to find all of Year 9 embroiled in a task that is so challenging and exciting that I want to stay and have a go myself. Outside it’s: “Sir, have you seen my tie? Can you open my bottle? What did you think of last night’s game? What time is it, Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my days!” It can be noisy at times and in a community this size we can’t expect everyone to get on with each other all the time. But it is our community, and a lively, lovely, positive one at that. Perhaps the single highlight of my week, if I had to pick, would be the conversation I had with Mrs. Fay who is leading the development of our new library. I am a library enthusiast and have been ever since I was little. The furthest reach of my memory is back to moments spent in our local library entranced by its colour and bright possibilities. On Twitter #RememberingMyLibrary reveals the hold that such an institution has: ‘A library card was a free pass to wonderment, words and the ability to roam the world’ observes one user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, These images are Year 10 'Under the Sea' exploration of Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk of materials, techniques and composition for the 'Design' the escape that a library represented or of element of their project. the refuge it offered from an unkind world. Mrs. Fay spent last Saturday peacefully stacking the shelves and we are inching closer to opening. What thrilled me was her comment that several boys, some of whom affect a dislike of reading, were electrified by presence of a library in their school: ‘You mean I can borrow this and, like, read it, Miss?’ was the breathless utterance of one pupil. Our library is at the heart of the school: a space for being open to and sharing ideas and experiences. It is openplan and its shelves serve as a reminder that there should be no barrier to anyone using its volumes or seeking knowledge, solace, entertainment or information. I can’t wait to see it come to life in the weeks ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of helpers.

Ben Davis, Headteacher Twitter: @BenDavis1972

Clockwise from top left: Jessica Eckersley; Kiera Bramble; Natalie O’Malley; Teagan Batty

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www.stambrosebarlowswinton.org 37 Ash Drive Swinton Salford M27 9QP 0161 921 1570 @SABSalford Headteacher: Ben Davis 7