St. Ambrose Barlow Weekly Newsletter Vol.2 Issue 10

FAITH IN YOU

LOVE IN LEARNING

HOPE IN BETTER

this week in our school . . .

Volume 2 Issue 10 January 20th, 2017

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ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM

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Head’s start .

Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week. week.

This week we celebrated Unity.

Each It is about this time Christian of year that I meet with year Christian churches across the UK each Head of Department to review the recognise the ties that results. bind them with an octave summer’s exam This involves (eight plenty days) of prayer and reflection.

The theme of useful and thought-provoking this year is ‘Crossing could not discussion, but Barriers’. it is usuallyIt talking about come numbers at a betterand time.

On aBehind whole school level letters. this data are pupils did, of how they felt, what we arestories: into thehow second week a term’s worth of they liked time and what they Values achieved. lessons in form on British andWe antialways focus on how be seem extremism, while across thethings globe can events improved as well as celebrating what set on emphasising differences rather than went well. common As a Catholic school, exam results are reinforcing ground. just one way of expressing the unique, Godgiven talents and skills of each pupil. It is Our new mission statement opens with the idea important to look beyond the data so I am of being united by our differences. The phrase delighted that much more of my job involves we use is ‘Unique Together’.

This is followed by being in classes, walking around the school another two word statement that attempts to and talking to pupils, students and staff. capture the idea that we are bound together in a commitment to kindness andatmutual respect: or If ever you are feeling all despondent ‘Everybody Matters’. to these fatigued I reckonI referred a quick tour of thephrases school when would I spokequickly to each yearyour group in assembly raise spirits.

Let me showWe youtalked what Iabout mean.theToday this week. many(Thursday, faces that September 29th) for instance, dropped into extremism takes both in the UK and Iabroad and Year 10 GCSE Music.

There, I was the threat that it represents to democracy, liberty delighted to listen to performances of and law.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back River and Whentothe Saintsthe Go Marching Pupilsthe were encouraged consider In. I also got to sit with Daniel and Chester potential contradiction between tolerating and as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing respecting points of view that threaten our own,the talents.

Next, during lunch, I supervised whilst canteen simultaneously condemning and made a point of extremism. watching the Freedom of speech and thought not aPupils slidingand interactions that take placeisdaily. scale: staff it either exists or it doesn’t.

The late holding doors open for one another, President Kennedy’s the real of offering thanks,idea little that moments of danger personal extremism is the intolerance that itOf fosters also appreciation and gratitude. course, don’t go well in a intolerance school, but it formedthings part of the always assembly: it is this is lovely to witness a voluntary apology that erects barriers between individuals and from a Year 9and to one of the lunch time staff,into or communities divides peaceful societies see one pupil help another who is unsure places of suspicion and mistrust. 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 Ofincourse know what and is inexciting someone’s a task we thatcannot is so challenging heart, what values they hold, or whether they that I want to stay and have a go myself. are an ‘extremist’ or not, simply by looking Outside it’s: “Sir, have you seen my tie? at them.

We open must my reach out toWhat others, Can you bottle? didbuild you connections bridges andWhat crosstime barriers think of lastand night’s game? is it, to understand different points of view Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Ohand myto days!” Itstrong can berelationships noisy at times and our in aschool, establish within community thisour sizecommunities. we can’t expect our families and everyone to get on with each other all the time. it is ouruscommunity, a lively, Our faithBut teaches that there isand ‘another way’ , lovely, positive one at that. an alternative to conflict, to intolerance and to division. That alternative is love; a love that Perhaps the single highlight of my week, if I allows us to live fully with and for others. It was had to pick, would be the conversation I had onwith thatMrs. noteFay thatwho we is ended thethe assemblies, leading reflecting on the need to basic kindness development of our new library. I am aand compassion in our school at all times, each library enthusiast and have been everthat since ofI us makes to put others first and was little. the Theeffort furthest reach of my understand As St. Paulinsays,’I memory isone backanother. to moments spent our urge in the name ofby ouritsLord Jesus localyou, library entranced colour andChrist, bright possibilities.

On Twitter not to have factions among yourselves but all to #RememberingMyLibrary reveals thesohold be in agreement in what you profess; that that such an institution has: ‘A library card you are perfectly united in your beliefs and was a free pass to wonderment, words and judgements.’ the ability to roam the world’ observes one whilst another quotes the wrought iron Atuser, St. Ambrose we ask everyone to be different, gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, to celebrate their God-given talents, the things Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk of that make each of us unique. It is this diversity the escape that a library represented or of that interpretation of British Values theinforms refuge itour offered from an unkind world. and our response to the government’s requirement to raise of the Prevent Mrs. Fay spent last awareness Saturday peacefully strategy. stacking the shelves and we are inching closer to opening. What thrilled me was her God Bless. that several boys, some of whom comment affect a dislike of reading, were electrified by presence Ben Davis of a library in their school: ‘You mean I can borrow this and, like, read it, Headteacher Miss?’ was the breathless utterance of one pupil. @BenDavis1972 Our library is at the heart of the Twitter: 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

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Twitter: @BenDavis1972 2

 

From top left: students and pupils at the Sharp Project; Samuel Bryan in Y8 selected for Greater Manchester; Y12 learning about 3 enterprise.

around the school this week Assemblies this week were on the theme of British Values, Prevent and anti-extremism.

This is a key element of our whole school safeguarding and PSHE programme and we will be running workshops for parents and carers starting this Thursday as part of the Year 9 Parents’ Evening. All adults are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the issues via the following links: British Values, Extremism, Prevent, Radicalisation Educate Against Hate: http://educateagainsthate.com/parents/ Cyberbullying and Online Safety Think You Know: www.thinkuknow.co.uk https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/ www.childnet-int.org/kia www.ceop.gov.uk/saferbydesign/reportabuse.asp www.kidscape.org.uk All parents and carers are reminded of the need to monitor and engage with young people’s internet usage and profile. In school all online activity is monitored at all times to watch to any threats to safety, incidences of bullying or breaches of security.

Work continued on two developments to our facilities this week. The new 6th Form Science Lab took a step closer to opening. This resource has been necessitated by the bigger than expected numbers choosing Science in Y12. The artwork for the new library is also nearing completion and we hope to open this exciting new facility soon. Any parent or carer who is interested in volunteering in our library should contact the school office to provide their details - we are grateful for any extra support.

Pupils and students were heavily involved in a number of exciting activities this week. The Sharp Project (a social enterprise that supports young people into employment in the creative digital sector) was working with our young people as part of a long term project.

Meanwhile on Thursday evening we welcomed an extraordinary array of speakers and professionals into the school to speak to pupils, students and parents from our school and several others about the careers available in the digital and creative sector. Creative industries make up over 10% of the Greater Manchester economy and their heartland is Salford - our doorstep. We enjoy extraordinary links with businesses in this sector and we celebrated these through our Next Generation Digital Advantage project. More to come next week once the pictures are in!

Year 12 students were hard at work learning about entrepreneurship this week with Curricula and Co and the Dirt Factory, asking the big question, “Who do I want my future me to be?” Students learnt about planning and establishing their business ideas and you can expect to hear about these in the very near future in school.

Finally, congratulations must go to Samuel Bryan in Year 8 who has been selected to represent Greater Manchester at the UK Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships.

Congratulations also to Holly Grimes and Chloe Latham who have been selected to play rugby for England under-20s in France this September.

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calendar what’s on

TUE 24

WED 25

THU 26

FRI 27 SAT 28

MON 23

COMING UP THIS WEEK

ATTENDANCE We aim for 100% attendance for all of our students and have set 96% as satisfactory attendance for this year. Attendance is monitored period-by-period and statistics are published each week. Excellent attendance guarantees excellent learning.

Best Attendance by form (w/b January 9th):

Year 7 Year 8 year 9 year 10 year 11 overall

7L 8A & B 9F 10J 11D

100% 97.6% 96.7% 99.1% 99.1% 95.9%

Attendance and its impact on learning 10 days absence means 95% attendance 19 days absence means 90% attendance 29 days absence means 85% attendance 38 days absence means 80% attendance 47 days absence means 75% attendance Please note: If your child is off school you need to contact student services the same day on 0161 921 1589/1551. If the school has not been contacted within five days, the absences will automatically be unauthorised. Ten unauthorised marks may lead to a fixed penalty notice being served.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK

Class Charts Retweeted a Tweet you were Year 9 mentioned in Parents’ Evening Jan 17: @SABSalford fantastic artwork Holocaust for our Memorial Day library by yr 10 superstars! Can't wait Service &to see Talks them finished. pic.twitter.com/PDC2YHPnFf Year 11 Mocks continue

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FAITH IN YOU

LOVE IN LEARNING

HOPE IN BETTER

ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM www.stambrosebarlowswinton.org 37 Ash Drive Swinton Salford M27 9QP 0161 921 1570 @SABSalford Headteacher: Ben Davis 7

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