St. Ambrose Barlow Weekly Newsletter Vol.2 Issue 1

FAITH IN YOU

LOVE IN LEARNING

HOPE IN BETTER

this week in our school . . .

Volume 2 Issue 1 September 16th, 2016

1

ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM

new year, new faces . year 7 & year 12 Now that the new school year is underway and everyone is settled in we can look back over a momentous start to the term. Our new Year 7 joined us, all 210 of them, earlier this month and have made an excellent start. We have already seen them leading assemblies and signing up enthusiastically for after school clubs and teams. The year 7 drop-in evening was well attended by parents and carers. We also welcomed our largest ever cohort of Year 12s: 90 student in all. This far exceeded our target of 60 and sees students from across Salford following courses at A level and BTEC for the first time at St. Ambrose Barlow. We are now the city’s only school-based post-16 provision.

NEW FOR 2016 We have put in place a number of changes to the school the take effect this year and are aimed at improving our already excellent school.

These include: Extra dining space to allow us to run only two lunch sittings A nurture space and a new timeout room A longer school day to allow us to offer a 25 minute registration and tutor period An extra parents’ evening for Year 7 at which pupils present their work rather than receive a written report A focus on oracy (speaking, listening and presenting) across the curriculum, particularly in Year 7 Four new houses: St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Benedict, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Margaret Clitherow We also welcome a new Head of Humanities, Mr. Cassidy and a new Head of English, Miss.

Matthews.

2

ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET

We were delighted to welcome English National Ballet and the Manchester International Festival to work with pupils from St. Patrick’s and our own students on dance based on the forthcoming performance of Giselle. We were also honoured to welcome special

councillors visit

guest, Salford’s Ceremonial

Councillors Lisa Stone, lead member for Children and Young People, and

Mayor, Karen Garrido, to

John Walsh visited this week to meet with Mr. Davis. The councillors are

watch the dancers and pupils

visiting all schools to see for themselves the wonderful pupils and witness

at work.

their work. They are also keen to hear of the successes and challenges in Salford’s schools. They had a tour around the school and enjoyed chatting to pupils in the new Nurture room where Cllr Walsh tried his hand at dominoes.

YEAR 7 lead assembly

Inspired by their oracy classes and keen to make an excellent first impression year 7 pupils led an assembly on mutual respect setting the tone for the year ahead.

3

FACES OF SUCCESS: OUR NEW YEAR 12 ARE FROM ALL OVER SALFORD AND BEYOND

4

GETTING TO KNOW OUR NEW SIXTH FORM STUDENTS Shervin Ghaemi Former High School: Ellesmere Park Courses: A Level Maths, Physics, Business Studies, Design, Engineer Construct I chose to come to St Ambrose Barlow because of the staff I met when they visited my High School and at Open Events. It is local for me and I like the size of the college. I have enjoyed everything about my first week at college – it just feels right! Already I have made loads of new friends and set up a Basketball team. In the future I want to be an Architect and I know I will be encouraged and supported to follow that dream as there is always somebody to talk to who has contacts or knowledge of the job you want to go into and will help you with advice and work experience.

Melissa Wharton Former High School: St Patrick’s High School Courses: A Level Biology, Chemistry, Maths, English I chose St Ambrose because the closest college (Pendleton) is too busy and I like that Ambrose has small class sizes. It’s a small and relaxed college where everybody is really nice and helpful. I chose these courses because I liked the subjects at school and I am interested in a career in Medicine or Law, ideally a Doctor of some sort, maybe a Paediatrician.

Nicole Feeney Former High School: St Patrick’s High School Courses: A Level Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics I chose to come to St Ambrose Sixth form because the High School has a reputation as a good school and I preferred it to Loreto and Pendleton when I went to visit them. I like the small class sizes and the relaxed environment. I know it will help me to get into Medicine at University which I need as I want to be a Neuroradiologist.

Grace Doodson Former High School: St Ambrose Barlow High School Courses: A Level English, Maths, History, Philosophy, Ethics and Theology Being at St Ambrose Barlow is like being in one big family and I wanted to continue my education here. I like that I already know the teachers and lots of the students but it doesn’t feel like you’re in a school as you have independence. I want to go on to do a History degree and become a History teacher and the Teaching Cadet programme I’ve signed up to in enrichment will also help with this.

Alfie Belcher Former High School: St Ambrose Barlow High School Courses: A Level Biology and Maths, Double Sport BTEC St Ambrose Barlow seemed like it was the only one that really cared about me. It’s close to home and I like 5 the teachers that I knew would be teaching me from lower down the school, which is why I chose the courses I did.

The best thing about the college is the freedom that we get now – it isn’t like being a high school. The teachers really care about you as an individual. In the future I want to move to America to live.

Eve Sollien Former High School: Swinton High School Courses: A Level Art, Drama, Psychology I came to St Ambrose Barlow because it is so close for me and because of the one to one support that you get here. I like the size of the college it easy to get to know where you are going and the courses are ideal for me as they pertain to my artistic interests. I’d like to go on to University although I’m not sure yet which course I’ll take.

Phoebe Hyde Former High School: Swinton High School Courses: A Level English, Psychology, Philosophy, Ethics and Theology I came to Ambrose after initially starting at Pendleton because the classes are smaller so there is more one to one contact and everyone gets to know each other really well because of that. It’s also just a 5 minute walk from my house. I chose English and PET as I got my best results in these and I’ve always had an interest in Psychology. In the future I want to go to University and do a Teaching course.

Fred Pearson Former High School: Moorside High School Courses: A Level Physics, Maths, Geography I chose this Sixth Form as everyone is so friendly and you get the personal attention you need from staff. The best thing about my first week has been meeting new people and I enjoy the lessons as these are the subjects that are most interesting to me. I want to go to University and be a Pilot in my future career.

Catherine Honeywell Former High School: Harrop Fold High School Courses: A Level English, Philosophy, Ethics and Theology, Psychology and Health and Social Care I chose St Ambrose Sixth Form because of the smaller, more interactive classes and because it seemed very friendly and accessible. The subjects are really complex and encourage me to think deeply about our behaviour in Psychology, beliefs in Philosophy and embracing differences in Health and Social Care. My future ambition is to help people within a social worker type profession.

Eloise McBrearty Former High School: Harrop Fold High School Courses: A Level Art, Philosophy, Ethics and Theology, English I really like the college and it offered the right courses for me. I enjoy learning about each of my subjects and I’d like to go on to study Psychology at University.

6

Nick Davenport Former High School: Walkden High Courses: A Level Maths, Physics, Design, Engineer Construct St Ambrose Barlow is close by and easy to get to which was important when I chose my college. I picked the subjects I did because I know that they will help me with a career in Engineering which is what I want to do in the future. The best thing about the college is that everyone is welcoming and there’s an atmosphere of togetherness.

training to teach at st ambrose barlow It wasn’t just Year 7 and Year 12 who were new to the school at the start of this year. We also welcomed our biggest ever intake of trainee teachers as part of our very successful School Direct teacher training programme. Here they are looking ever so shiny, bright and excited ready to become part of a great profession. We wish them well.

7

facts & figures .

gcse resultS 2016

70.5%

of all grades were A* - C

68%

achieved A* - C in English and Maths combined

18.3%

of all grades were A* or A; 10 students ! ! ! achieved 8 or more A or ! ! !

A* grades each

75% 30%

of 22 subjects exceeded national pass rates

of pupils achieved the English Baccalaureate

87% Results day this year for Year 11 was a celebratory affair with many pupils achieving beyond expectations.

This page gives a flavour of the achievements of pupils and staff.

Please note that it is based on unvalidated data and results could change pending the outcome of remarks.

of pupils made 3 levels of progress in English

54%

of pupils made 4 levels of progress in English

18

subjects exceeded a pass rate of 75%

8

calendar what’s on

oct 6

oct 20

nov 26

FRI 23

Year 7 Wardley Hall Visits

Year 7 Mass of Welcome 7 pm

The following Music Clubs will start on Monday the 19th of September: Monday 12.45 Choir for Years 7, 8 & 10

TUE 20

Tuesday 3.25 - 4pm Beginners Guitar

Open Evenings

WED 21

THU 22

Wednesday 3.25 - 4pm Keyboard Club

MON 19

Year 7 & 11 photographs

SAT 24

COMING UP THIS WEEK

Manchester Camerata concert, 7:30 pm A group of students will be attending a 'Haydn to Hendrix' concert at the Royal Northern College of Music, performed by the Manchester Camerata.

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.

Last week’s top forms were:

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

99.7% 100% 96.7% 96.7% 99.3%

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.

9

celebrating the feast of st. ambrose barlow On Monday, September 12th we celebrated the life of our patron, Saint Ambrose Barlow with liturgies for each year group. As part of the liturgies Miss Singleton read out the following reflection on our new mission statement.

St Ambrose Barlow made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave up his life as a sign of how much he loved God. So when we talk about learning from his example, it is easy to panic and think, “What? Have I got to give up my life and be ready to die to be a good Catholic?”

While there are many people around the world today who willingly give up their life for their faith, we hope that in the UK we will never be forced to make that choice. But that doesn’t mean the life of St Ambrose Barlow has nothing to teach us. At St Ambrose Barlow Catholic High School we want to learn from the example of our Patron Saint. When he chose to stay in England despite the King banning Catholic priests St Ambrose showed courage. When he continued to be a Catholic priest even when he was released from prison – St Ambrose showed determination. When he tried to convert other people to Catholicism – St Ambrose showed his love for God and a desire to give this faith to others. These are the qualities we want each one of you to have and develop during your time at this school. Our school mission statement explains exactly what we want for you and how you can be like St Ambrose Barlow today.

Faith in You At St Ambrose we believe in you, that each person in this school matters because God made them. God made them and has a plan for them. That each person has gifts and talents that make them totally unique and like no other person who exists or has ever existed. Therefore each person here has a duty to the best they can be. If you do not give your best then you are depriving the world of you. St Ambrose Barlow knew he had something to give that no one else could, he knew that he couldn’t shy away from his role as a Catholic priest because he had to set an example to the people of Manchester that faith in God isn’t something to hide, but something to be proud of.

Our faith in you and our faith in God means never hiding who we are and who we were born to be.

Love in Learning At St Ambrose we believe you should enjoy learning, finding out new things, getting stuck into new challenges and finding the skills you didn’t know you had. But we also believe that this learning should take place in an environment of love. That every member of staff and every pupil has a duty to show love to each other. Every day staff pour their love into your lessons, the conversations they have with you between lessons and into the extra hours they give up to help you achieve more. We believe that learning should be a good experience because you have the courage to ask questions without fear, the courage to say what you believe without worrying what others think. St Ambrose Barlow had courage beyond all things, the courage to do what was unpopular, the courage to put other people before himself, the courage to say yes to God even when it would lead him into danger.

Hope in Better At St Ambrose we have hope that your future can be brighter because of the skills you learn at school. That these skills will widen your horizons and lead you to greatness. We hope that you can make other people’s lives better because you learnt to copy Jesus’ example by showing kindness to others. We hope that the world can be a better place because you dedicate your lives to being a change maker. St Ambrose hoped for a better life for the Catholics of England, that they could worship in freedom and so he dedicated his life and his death to being a change maker, to improve the lives of others.

Let the feast day of St Ambrose Barlow remind you of what this school promises you; faith in you, love in learning and hope in better.

10

11

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 12