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 3 April 30th, 2021 COVER ART: YEAR 10
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Head’s . THIS WEEK AROUNDstart THE SCHOOL
Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the HEAD’S week. START
I get to Maths to find all ofreport Year 9has embroiled Our latest Ofsted been published and in a taskcan thatbe is read so challenging and exciting on our website. The one day Section 8 that I want to stay and have a go myself. monitoring inspection took place on March 24th and If, like me, you spend a lot of time reading about It is about this time of year that I meet with Outside the it’s:inspection “Sir, have you seen my that tie? leaders and those team judged education in the national news then you would be each Head of Department to review the Can youresponsible open my bottle? What did are you taking effective for governance forgiven forexam thinking that what summer’s results. This mattered involves most in think of last night’s game? What time is it, action’. schools the last couple of weeks is mobile plenty ofinuseful and thought-provoking Sir?” and, at letter, least once “Oh my limited in length, The whichaisday, necessarily phones. Webut have clear rulesabout about such days!” Itrecognises discussion, it isquite usually talking can be noisy at times and in in curriculum a improvements and the numbersand andthe letters. Behind this data have are no community this size we can’t expectteam has implemented, devices vast majority of pupils actions that the leadership stories: how pupils did, how they felt, everyone to getand on with each all theto develop the before during theother pandemic, difficulty whatsoever co-operating withwhat them. By the they liked and what they achieved. We time. But it is our community, and a lively, school and mitigate the effects of the COVID crisis. same token there are times when the devices are always focus on how things can be lovely, positive one atleaders that. have ‘galvanised staff’ to It states that used effectively to support learning and, like all improved as well as celebrating what went ensure continuity of provision and quality. The aspects work,school, we keep suchresults rules under well. Asof a our Catholic exam are Perhapspositive the single highlight of my week,carer if I and staff and feedback from parents, review. just one way of expressing the unique, Godhad to pick, would be thepupil conversation I had the very positive voice undertaken during the given talents and skills of each pupil. It is with Mrs.inspection Fay who is not leading the within the report. included important to lookthe beyond the data so I am at the development of our new library. I am a Let’s be honest, big issue in education delighted that much more of my job involves library enthusiast and have been ever since moment is how school deal with phones. It’s much being in classes, walking around the school I was little. The furthest reach of my more about how we develop the education system, and talking to pupils, students and staff. memory is back to moments spent in our the ways in which we teach and, crucially the ways local library entranced by its colour and in whichyou weare support children to develop as If ever feeling at all despondent or content, bright possibilities. On Twitter resourceful, thoughtful citizens fatigued I reckon a quick tour ofthat thematters. school It #RememberingMyLibrary reveals the hold The alsohas: identifies three areas for further matters even more (hopefully) theme country would quickly raise as your spirits. Let that such an report institution ‘A library card development that reflects our own show youfrom whatthe I mean. Today (Thursday, was a free pass to wonderment, words andfindings and selfemerges ravages of the pandemic. evaluation. Whilst we are obviously September 29th) for instance, I dropped into the ability to roam the world’ observes one pleased that the team agreed with our self-evaluation and judged Year 10 GCSE I was to believe it, user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron However much Music. it might There, be tempting us to be taking effective action we are in no way delighted to listen to performances of gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, there isn’t a crisis in our schools, but there are complacent and continue to work very hard to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk of improve school rapidly foror allofchildren and their challenges after the events of the year. The the escape the River and When the Saints Gopast Marching that athe library represented families. only wesit will address and support the refuge it offered from an unkind world. In. I way alsothat got to with Danielthese and Chester as theytodemonstrated their prodigious DJing that young grow and achieve is by recognising canlast read the report here: https:// talents. Next, duringis lunch, I supervised Mrs. FayYou spent Saturday peacefully each young person an asset to school, the to www.stambrosebarlowswinton.org/docs/Ofsted/ canteen and made a point the shelves and we are inching learning. I don’t mean that of in watching a financialthe sense. I stackingOfsted_Remote_Inspection_March_2021.pdf interactions that take place daily. Pupils and closer to opening. What thrilled me was her mean instead that it is very important that parents, staff holding doors open for one another, comment that several boys, some of whom staff andthanks, other adults don’t bang about what affect a dislike Sacrament of Confirmation offering little moments of on personal of reading, were electrified by children have lost, what they can’t do or how appreciation and gratitude. Of course, presence of a library in their school: ‘You We borrow were delighted welcome ‘difficult’ theyalways are. The first ingredient any things don’t go well in a school,forbut it mean I can this and,tolike, read it,Sr. Ana Yeo into school this week. She will beofjoining is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from Miss?’ was the breathless utterance one us every recovery from the pandemic must be hope and that Wednesday afternoon in order a Yearby 9 to one of thethe lunch time staff, or pupil. Our library is at the heart of the to prepare a group of starts celebrating skills, talents, 8s for Sacrament of Confirmation. As you see one pupil help anothercharacters who is unsure school: aYear space for the being open to and achievements and unique of the children might be aware, Bishop John moved this sacrament where to go for It’s class. ideas and experiences. It is openin our schools. what we’re trying to focus on sharing from Year 3 to Year 8. We were plan and its shelves serve as a reminderhappy to learn that more and more at St. Ambrose Barlow and it’s the a total of 47 fromtoour school will be confirmed In Sixth Form, I enjoyed a lengthy chat with that there should be pupils no barrier anyone this summer, one of the highest very essence of our mission. Aidan who explained both the theory of using its volumes or seeking knowledge,proportions of any school in the Diocese. We pray for our pupils as differentiation and its potential commercial solace, entertainment or information. I can’t they formally begin their adult Christian vocation in application. wait to see it come to life in the weeks God bless, In English they were studying the Church. the play Blood Brothers and talking with ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of
“ Leaders are taking effective action and have galvanised staff
humour and excitement about superstitions; Ben Davis in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new Headteacher mission statement and exploring the personal meanings within it. School is a Ofsted Reporthumming published: busy, bustling, place.
helpers. Stay with us, Lord, on our journey.
Ben Davis, Headteacher Mr. Davies
Twitter: @BenDavis1972 Curriculum Leader RE 2 2
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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, Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk of the escape that a library represented or of 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 2
Lockdown photo art from Brayden Bates, Year 10
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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.
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 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, Year 7 art club Ninth with Mr Wroe off to a brilliant acrylic onto canvas’s workshop!! Beethoven’s Symphony, Hold Back start with Learn andpouring 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.
YEAR 7 ART CLUB
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Head’s . THIS WEEK AROUNDstart THE SCHOOL
Farewell Mrs. Rudge Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the I get to Maths to find all of Year 9 embroiled On Thursday we said goodbye to one of our longest week. in a task that is so challenging and exciting serving members of staff, Finance Manager Mrs. that I want to stay and have a go myself. Patricia Rudge. Mrs. Rudge, who retired yesterday, It is about this time of year that I meet with Outside it’s: “Sir, have you seen my tie? started working in our school in 2003 and I am sure week our Oracy work, each Head of Department to review the Can youThis open my bottle? What did led youfor the last four years that the whole school community will join with me in by Mrs. Tulloch, was discussed summer’s exam results. This involves think of last night’s game? What time isat it, the All Party thanking her for her service and wishing her well in Parliamentary Group on Oracy in the House of plenty of useful and thought-provoking Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my the next phase of her life. Commons. Here, in an edited version of a blog discussion, but it is usually talking about days!” It can be noisy at times and in a published by Voice21 Mrs. Tulloch reflects on that numbers and letters. Behind this data are community this size we can’t expect Home testing work and its impact. stories: how pupils did, how they felt, what everyone to get on with each other all the Please ensure that your child continues to test they liked and what they achieved. We time. But it is our community, and a lively, themselves for COVID today using the home testing At our school, in year 7 we teach a discrete Oracy always focus on how things can be lovely, positive one at that. kits and that the results are uploaded to the online curriculum: students learn how to listen and speak improved as well as celebrating what went portal. This is important so that public health have well. We show students importance of strong well. As a Catholic school, exam results are Perhaps the single highlight of mythe week, if I access to accurate data on the virus from all schools. listening and demonstrate how the quality of talk can just one way of expressing the unique, Godhad to pick, would be the conversation I had It has also been raised by the Department for only ever be equal to the quality of the listening. given talents and skills of each pupil. It is with Mrs. Fay who is leading the Education as vital in limited the spread of the virus. important to look beyond the data so I am development of our new library. I am a Although infections are reducing there is still the risk A school isand a collection ofever conversations. When the delighted that much more of my job involves library enthusiast have been since of an upsurge and further disruption – please keep listening and speaking improve it follows that the being in classes, walking around the school I was little. The furthest reach of my going with this process. school will improve. When we started on our journey and talking to pupils, students and staff. memory is back to moments spent in our with Oracy in 2016 as part of an EEF research pilot local library entranced by its colour and Pupils are expected to test themselves every project, I thought as the Oracy lead that I would If ever you are feeling at all despondent or bright possibilities. On Twitter Wednesday and Sunday using these kits and for the building stronger voices. fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school #RememberingMyLibrary reveals We the have hold built a stronger results to be uploaded to the government portal, culture through stronger Oracy skills. would quickly raise your spirits. Let me that such an institution has: ‘A library card details of which were previously circulated. We will show you what I mean. Today (Thursday, was a free pass to wonderment, words and be issuing further testing kits this week and would be Five yearsthe intoworld’ our journey, every September 29th) for instance, I dropped into the ability to roam observes onestudent in our grateful if parents and carers could ensure that school has experienced our discrete Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron curriculum and results, whether negative or positive, could be speech week, where theyMark, all presented a 3-5 delighted to listen to performances of gates ofaStalybridge library, ‘Read, uploaded. minute speech about one of theirofpassions. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk
ORACY CURRICULUM RECOGNISED
the River and When the Saints Go Marching the escape that a library represented or of Free School Meals over half-term Parents attend our In. I also got to sit with Daniel and Chester the refuge it offered from anspeech unkindweek world.and reflect that they Families of pupils who are eligible for free school ‘wish someone had taught them how to present a as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing meals will receive vouchers by email over the May/ speech’. One parent reflected that she hadn’t talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised the Mrs. Fay spent last Saturday peacefully June half-term week. applied for a promotion because she knew the canteen and made a point of watching the stacking the shelves and we are inching application process would involve a presentation. interactions that take place daily. Pupils and closer to opening. What thrilled me was her Coronavirus in Salford – public health messages After her daughter’s speech, she said, ‘I staff holding doors open for one another, comment thatwatching several boys, some of whom All the key messages can be found on the Salford need to get on with it now, don’t She’s showing me offering thanks, little moments of personal affect a dislike of reading, were electrifiedI?by City Council website. In terms of our school the way.’ appreciation and gratitude. Of course, presence of a library in their school: ‘You community the main points that I would like to things don’t always go well in a school, but it mean I can borrow this and, like, read it, highlight are: All of students utterance face an Oracy challenge in year is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from theour breathless of one • Infection rates are coming down, but it is Miss?’ was 11 of a mock interview which we support with Oracy a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or pupil. Our library is at the heart of the likely that the easing of restrictions will see protocols. see one pupil help another who is unsure school: a space for being open to and them rise again – the situation remains where to go for class. sharing ideas and experiences. It is opencarefully balanced It’s ourserve community stronger and given us a itsmade shelves as a reminder • Everyone must continue to do their bit by plan andway forward. Students know that a discussion In Sixth Form, I enjoyed a lengthy chat with that there should be no barrier to anyone wearing face coverings, following hygiene requires strong engagement, clear thinking and the Aidan who explained both the theory of using its volumes or seeking knowledge, rules and social distancing capacity to change their opinion. differentiation and its potential commercial solace, entertainment or information. I can’t • Twice weekly home testing is strongly application. In English they were studying wait to see it come to life in the weeks recommended – we issue kits to pupils for As their the play Blood Brothers and talking with ahead thanks to teachers Mrs. Fay we andcan hermake band sure of that their voice this purpose. You can order more home is strong enough to meet any challenge life throws at humour and excitement about superstitions; helpers. testing kits online them. Head held high, voice clear and sincere. in •Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new People aged 45-49 are eligible for When the presentation that could change their life mission statement and exploring the Headteacher vaccinations and should take these up as Ben Davis, happens they will know, just as they did today, that personal meanings within it. School is a Twitter: @BenDavis1972 soon as possible they’ve ‘got this’. They will know how to meet the busy, humming place. • bustling, For more information and links please go to: challenge and thrive, which is why strong 2 Oracy https://www.salford.gov.uk/peopleteaching in school works and is imperative to our 5 communities-and-local-information/ students. coronavirus/coronavirus-level-in-salford/
www.stambrosebarlowswinton.org 37 Ash Drive Swinton Salford M27 9QP 0161 921 1570 @SABSalford Headteacher: Ben Davis 6